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It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.

Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation 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 click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.