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It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.

Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.