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It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.

Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)

The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.