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This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Human Element

This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.