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This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.

Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)

The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on Prime Video this December.