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This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.

While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.