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This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed 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. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.