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This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.

While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.