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It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.

While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)

The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.