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It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.

Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.