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This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.