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It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.

Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

If these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)

The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.