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It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.

Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.