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It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as 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 surrounding green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.