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It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends 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, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages 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 Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.