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This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.

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