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It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.

While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting 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 Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.