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This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.

Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.