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It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.

While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Human Element

This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.