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This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

How these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.