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This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.

Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.