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This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.

While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.

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