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It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.

While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

How these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings 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 heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)

The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.