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It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.

While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)

Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.