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This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.

While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted 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 holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)

The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.