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This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.