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It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.

Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Human Element

The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.