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This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Human Element

This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.