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It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.

Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

How these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.