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It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.

Without minimizing the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted 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 obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.