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It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.