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This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.