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This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.

Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.