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This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Human Element

This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.