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It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.

Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.