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This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.

While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. 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 around this situation is sustainable is a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.