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This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.

While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.