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It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.

Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains 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, considering the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.