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It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

If these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.