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It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.

While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Human Element

This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.