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This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.

While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

How these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

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