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This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

If these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Human Element

The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.