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This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.

Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.