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This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.

Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.