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It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.