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This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.

Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)

The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.