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It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.

Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.