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This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.

While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.