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It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)

The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.