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This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring 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 – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.