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It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.