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It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.

Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.