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It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.

While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.