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It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. 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, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is by far the cutest element 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 greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

• Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.