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This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.

While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable is a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

How these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Human Element

This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

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