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It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look 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 adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.