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It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.

Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.