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It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.

While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.