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This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

If these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

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