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It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.

Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Human Element

The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.