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It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Human Element

This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.