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This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.

Where It Wobbles

This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.