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It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

If these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.

Where It Wobbles

Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.

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