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This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Human Element

This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)

The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.