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This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.

Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

Where It Wobbles

This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)

Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on Prime Video this December.