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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. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.

Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

If these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

• Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.