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This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.