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It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

This level of success 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, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.