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This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.