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It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.

While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.