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It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.

Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

If these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)

Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.