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It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.