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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 a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.