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This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.

Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.