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It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.

While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.