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This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

Where It Wobbles

This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)

The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.