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It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.