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This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.