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This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.

While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite 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, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.