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This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.

While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.