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It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)

The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.