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This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)

Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.

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