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It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.

Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.