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This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.

Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only 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 should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.