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It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Human Element

This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game 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 seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)

The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.