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This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

Where It Wobbles

Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.