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It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game 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 Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)

The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.