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This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.

Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances 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. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)

The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.