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It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)

Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.