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It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.