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This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.

Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.

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