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This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.

Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.