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It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.

Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.