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It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

If these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Human Element

The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.