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It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.

Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.