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It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.

Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.