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This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

How these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)

The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.