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It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.

While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies 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. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.