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It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects 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. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

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