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It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.

Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

How these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting 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 Prime Video on December 10th.