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It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.

Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.