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This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.

Without minimizing the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

• Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.