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It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.

While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.