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It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.

While respecting the mental health of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on Prime Video this December.