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This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm 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. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)

Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.