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It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.

Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)

The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.