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It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.

Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Human Element

This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.