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This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)

Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.