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This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.

Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.