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It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.

Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

If these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.