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It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Human Element

The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.