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It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Human Element

This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)

The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.