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It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly 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 what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)

The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.