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It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.

Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Human Element

The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)

The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

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