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It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)

The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.