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This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.