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This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.

Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits 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, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)

The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.