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This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable remains debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)

The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.