Merv

I watched this because it had Charlie Cox in it. I was pleasantly surprised when I heard him in his actual accent. It certainly increased his charm. He and the dog Merv were the stars of this movie! He and Zoey Deschanel had not a drop of chemistry. I didn't think she had much chemistry with the dog Merv either. The story line was also way too long and disjointed. He was the better dog owner, in my opinion. Enjoyed the scenes with Patrica Heaton. She gave this movie some humor. Charlie Cox's dance moves were spectacular. He looked to be having a lot of fun in those dance scenes. It is a clean movie with no sex scenes or bad language so appropriate for most ages.

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.

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!

"Merv" is a genuinely charming film that knows exactly what it wants to be. It doesn't try too hard to impress with big twists or heavy drama, and that's actually part of its strength. The story is simple, warm, and easy to connect with, making the film very enjoyable to watch from start to finish.

While it may not be perfect or groundbreaking, it makes up for that with its heart. The characters feel sincere, the tone is light but meaningful, and there's a quiet emotional pull that stays with you. Some moments could have been developed a bit more, but overall the film leaves you with a smile.

"Merv" is one of those sweet, feel-good movies that reminds you cinema doesn't always need to be loud or complex to be effective. A very lovely watch.

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....