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This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

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