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This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, 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 not exactly a stroke of genius.

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