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It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.

Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

If these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.

Where It Wobbles

This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)

Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.