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It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.

Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

If these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

• Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.