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It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.

While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

If these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.