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It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.