Last night, I watched the film on Netflix, and despite the reviews that ranged from lukewarm to outright dismissive, despite preparing myself for disappointment, despite Princess Amy's running commentary about my questionable life choices—I actually enjoyed it.
Low Expectations and High Anxiety
It was with considerable embarrassment that I learned "Merv"—starring Zooey Deschanel, Charlie Cox, and a wire-haired terrier named Gus playing the title role—was filmed entirely in Wilmington while I was busy missing it. Somehow, Daredevil himself was in town co-parenting a depressed dog, and I documented precisely none of it.
I went into last night's viewing carrying not just the weight of missed opportunity, but also the burden of critical consensus. The reviews I'd read were decidedly underwhelming. Words like "slight," "flat," and "bare minimum" appeared with alarming frequency.
I made myself comfortable--comfy pillow, hot tea, and settled in, fully prepared to spend two hours confirming that yes, I had indeed missed nothing of consequence.
I was wrong.
The film opens with a song called 'Christmas is Going to the Dogs,' a song by the group Eels, and a song I first heard in 'The Grinch that Stole Christmas.' Hearing that song immediately set a tone I wasn't expecting—playful, self-aware, and genuinely charming.
The central theme is that Anna (Deschanel) and Russ (Cox) recently ended their relationship, but continue to share custody of their beloved terrier, Merv. The setup is Boston in winter—though those of us familiar with Wilmington's geography know better—and the dog is shuttling between Anna's tidy apartment and Russ's disaster zone every week.
The premise that co-parenting a dog is a rom-com engine—actually works better than I expected. Maybe it's because both leads commit to the inherent silliness. Or maybe I'm just a sucker for a sad dog who needs his humans to get their act together.
The Quotable Moments
Early in the film, when Russ announces he's taking Merv to Florida for a beach vacation to cheer him up, Anna responds with a line I'd never heard before but will absolutely be using in the future: "Go to Florida on vacation; come back on probation." I'm claiming the line for my own use.
But the line that will live rent-free in my head forever comes later, when Anna returns from a disastrous dating app encounter. Her friend asks how it went, and Anna delivers a one-sentence explanation that somehow conveys everything: "He buttered my bread."
I had to pause the movie to fully appreciate this. Short, to the point, and the perfect tone of resigned disappointment. From this day forward, whenever things don't go my way in social interactions, I will simply say, "...buttered my bread," and those who know will understand.
Kure Beach as Florida
The "Florida" beach resort where most of the action takes place is actually our own Kure Beach, which did an admirable job of playing a warmer, more tropical version of itself.
In one scene, Russ tells Anna that the water is warm, clearly setting her up for disappointment. She touches the water and immediately recoils—it's not balmy South Florida.
The fake snow (the filming took place in June) is noticeable if you're looking for it. But honestly? It's no more distracting than most location stand-ins. I've suspended disbelief for worse.
The Labradoodle That Wasn't
Regular readers may remember that in an earlier post, I speculated about whether our terrier hero might find romance. I had my fingers crossed for a Labradoodle subplot—the meet-cute at the dog park, the slow-burn canine chemistry, perhaps a shared tennis ball moment.
It never happened. Merv remains romantically unattached throughout the film. His role is focused entirely on reuniting his human parents rather than finding his own happily-ever-after. Am I disappointed? A little. Would a dog romance subplot have been too much? Possibly. But I still think there was room for at least one meaningful Labradoodle interaction.
Slutty Seniors and Pool Dancing
About halfway through, the film shifts gears during a resort party that one attendee describes as a gathering of "slutty seniors." The energy level jumps considerably, the side characters get their moments, and the whole thing builds to a "Dirty Dancing" homage that ends exactly where you hope it will—in the pool.
It was this sequence that won me over completely. It's silly without being stupid, romantic without being sappy, and commits fully to the bit without winking at the camera.
My Ruling
If I have one genuine disappointment, it's that Merv himself—despite being the title character—doesn't get quite enough to do. Gus the Dog is charming, his depression is convincing, and his eventual joy is earned. But I found myself wanting more actual dog adventures.
The movie is not going to win awards. It won't revolutionize the romantic comedy genre or redefine what streaming Christmas movies can be. But it's warm, funny, and sweet without being cloying.
Cox and Deschanel don't really have chemistry, but the supporting cast is game for the silliness, and Gus the Dog is, as advertised, a very good boy. Most importantly, it works as comfort viewing. Sometimes that's exactly what I need: something pleasant and entertaining that doesn't require deep analysis but rewards me with genuine charm.
So, despite the lukewarm reviews, even though I missed documenting its entire production, I'm telling you that "Merv" is worth adding to your watch list.
Just be prepared to never butter anyone's bread the same way again.
Cox and Deschanel don't really have chemistry, but the supporting cast is game for the silliness, and Gus the Dog is, as advertised, a very good boy. Most importantly, it works as comfort viewing. Sometimes that's exactly what I need: something pleasant and entertaining that doesn't require deep analysis but rewards me with genuine charm.
So, despite the lukewarm reviews, even though I missed documenting its entire production, I'm telling you that "Merv" is worth adding to your watch list.
Just be prepared to never butter anyone's bread the same way again.
Final Thoughts
As I watched the credits roll, I found myself thinking about missed opportunities—not just the obvious one of failing to document the production, but the smaller ones we encounter in daily life. How often do we write something off based on other people's opinions? How many pleasant surprises do we miss because we've already decided something isn't worth our time?
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