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It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.

While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

If these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.