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This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.

Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on Prime Video this December.