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It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.

While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)

Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.