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It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

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