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It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)

Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.