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It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.

Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)

Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.