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It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.

Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.

Where It Wobbles

Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.