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This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.