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This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.

While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)

The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.