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It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.

While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.