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It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.

Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.

Where It Wobbles

This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily 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 absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)

The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.