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It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.

Without minimizing the mental health of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

How these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.