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This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.

While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.