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It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.

While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water is debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on Prime Video this December.