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This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.

While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

If these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.