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This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.

Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.