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This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively is rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.