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This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.