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It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.

While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.