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It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.

While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Human Element

This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.