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It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)

Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.