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It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.

Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)

Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.

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