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This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.

Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.