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It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively seems a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)

The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.