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This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.

While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.