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This 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 arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.

Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)

The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.