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It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.