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It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.

Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.

Where It Wobbles

This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

• Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.