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This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

If these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone 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 fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

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