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It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – 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 regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

• Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.