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It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind 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 stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.