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This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)

The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.