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This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)

The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.