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It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.