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This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

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