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This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

Where It Wobbles

Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)

The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.