Merv

This movie was sweet and fun. Watched it with my daughter and we had some good laughs at the dogs' antics. The two leads made a cute and believable couple, and made you want to root for them. And Merv was appropriately adorable.

The beach resort for dogs was a clever setting and made for some amusing situations. Loved Charlie Cox in this! He is so likeable. Zooey is fine but Charlie and Gus (Merv) carry the movie.

You might expect a predictable story from a Christmas rom-com, but Merv delivers a massive surprise: the dog. Merv has an incredible presence that completely steals the show.

His performance is so convincing it makes you wonder if he is CGI or AI-generated. But he isn't-he is a real rescue dog named Gus! He conveys emotion with impeccable authenticity, at times even outshining the talented cast, including 500 Days of Summer star Zooey Deschanel and Daredevil himself, Charlie Cox.

While the plot involves a sunny detour to Florida rather than just snowy landscapes, it remains a heartwarming watch for the holiday season.

Verdict: Go for it!

This Amazon movie became available streaming this week. I was anxious to watch it because I am a Zooey fan. So my wife and I watched it. I enjoyed it fine as interesting entertainment, she enjoyed it less, she feels that some parts moved a bit too slowly.

Living and working in Boston Zooey Deschanel is Anna Finch, an optometrist. She has been in a long-term relationship with Charlie Cox as elementary school teacher Russ Owens. They have a dog, Merv, that each one is very attached to, much like if it were a child.

When the two split up for questionable reasons they make an agreement to share Merv, alternate weeks. But Merv seems to be depressed so Russ decides his next week will be spent with Merv at a Florida dog resort on the beach.

They go but Anna shows up unannounced, that is the catalyst to create a number of interesting situations. As we watch we sense that Anna and Russ aren't really over each other and it seems that will be leading to their repairing the fractured relationship.

There are a few novel concepts and while it isn't a very memorable movie I did find it suitably entertaining. Just a one-time viewing.

Now this is such a cute little movie! I really enjoyed this corny cute holiday movie, especially with Merv. He's the cutest little guy and I just loved him on screen! Also brings great awareness to pet adoption and its importance. Great film for the whole family to watch and good for the holiday season.

Sure, as the above review stated, "merv (does) steal your heart" OF COURSE HE DOES he's adorable but, and this is a big but - an animal co-star should be just that, a co-star and NOT merely a prop. However in the case of Merv, the doggo is simply that and it's very awkward - I don't know if Zoey is a cat person or what but it's like she's never touched a dog before and watching her attempt to act off of him is borderline cringe. Charlie isn't much better - so ya it's cute and yes I'd say it's worth a watch but just know this isn't a dog movie as much as a movie with a dog - I know I KNOW but....