When Fixing the Dog Means Fixing Everything Else

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MOVIE REVIEW
Merv
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Genre: Comedy, Romance, Family
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 45m
Director(s): Jessica Swale
Writer(s): Dane Clark, Linsey Stewart
Cast: Zooey Deschanel, Charlie Cox, Chris Redd, Patricia Heaton
Where to Watch: streaming globally on Prime Video December 10, 2025

RAVING REVIEW: The idea of using a dog’s emotional slump as the focus through which two people reconsider their own fractured relationship (surprisingly) isn’t new, but MERV approaches it with a charm that doesn’t feel recycled. It opens not with forced whimsy but with something quieter: the uneasy distance between people who once shared a life but now only share responsibilities. It’s the kind of setup that could tip into over-the-top comedy, but Jessica Swale handles the premise with a gentler touch, letting the audience understand the strain before pushing toward any sort of reconciliation. That restrained opening makes the story feel more honest.

At its core, MERV follows Anna and Russ after their split, brought back together because the one being most affected by their separation isn’t either of them—it’s their dog. Merv’s sudden lethargy forces them into the kind of uncomfortable collaboration that estranged couples dread, yet the film avoids turning their situation into outright conflict. Instead, Swale allows the slow reintroduction of old habits, shared memories, and familiarity to guide them. The screenplay, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart, keeps the central relationship light but not hollow, building small moments of connection that feel like steps instead of shortcuts.

Zooey Deschanel taps into the sincerity that defined some of her most memorable roles while showing more restraint than fans might expect from her comedy. Her performance leans into vulnerability without overselling it, which fits a character who doesn’t quite know how to talk about what she’s lost. Charlie Cox, meanwhile, offers a calm, warm counterbalance. He plays Russ as someone who hasn’t fully accepted the breakup, but isn’t wallowing either—just someone quietly hoping that clarity might still find its way to them. Their dynamic works best when the film shifts, giving the pair new space to rediscover who they were before the cracks formed.

The Florida setting could have encouraged a more chaotic tone, yet the film maintains a steady emotional line. The script keeps the focus on the couple’s awkwardness, their attempts at communication, and the subtle ways Merv becomes the glue binding them together. The dog himself—played by a terrier mix named Gus—delivers exactly what a film like this needs: expressive reactions, believable sadness, and the occasional spark that helps push the story forward.

Supporting cast members help anchor the world without distracting from the central trio of Anna, Russ, and Merv. Chris Redd adds energy as Vice Principal Desmond, offering lighter moments that soothe tension without countering the main storyline. Patricia Heaton, playing Russ’ mother, brings an understated warmth that the film benefits from, especially in scenes where characters need space to process what Anna and Russ are going through. These supporting roles help the film avoid repetition by giving each lead someone else to interact with, in addition to the other lead.

What boosts the narrative is its focus on the separation itself. The screenplay doesn’t let Anna and Russ reconcile instantly. Their issues aren’t erased by holiday magic; instead, the film emphasizes how much they’ve avoided discussing the fallout from their breakup. Their attempts to rekindle what they had emerged from shared concern for Merv, not from nostalgia.

The film also takes time to explore the loneliness that comes after a split. Neither Anna nor Russ appears to know how to fill the space the other once occupied, and the trip exposes the ways they’ve each been coping—some successfully, some not. Swale doesn’t linger on those details, but they come through in small exchanges and held glances that show where the hope for reconnection comes from. The dog-driven premise ensures the story remains accessible, but beneath it, the characters are dealing with the aftershocks of something deeply human.

If there’s a drawback, it’s that the film occasionally rushes through its more emotional moments, particularly when Anna and Russ start to rediscover their compatibility. A few transitions feel almost too smooth, and the resolution arrives a little too quickly for a story built on slowly reopening old wounds. The film’s sincerity—combined with strong performances and a well-handled concept—helps smooth out the rough edges.

MERV succeeds as a holiday film that builds its charm not through melodrama but through humanity. It blends warmth, humor, and reflection in a way that avoids cheap sentiment while still embracing the season’s optimism. The story acknowledges the messiness of breakups, the difficulty of shared responsibility, and the unpredictable ways life pulls people back together. It’s gentle, likable, thoughtfully made, and carried by actors who understand exactly how much to give without overplaying their hands.

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