Merv Review: Charlie Cox’s New Romcom Trips Over Its Own Tropes

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A lighthearted romantic comedy, potentially featuring a cute dog, is headed to Prime Video, and it shows how pets can help reconnect people. While Merv might appeal most to dedicated romcom lovers, it fully embraces its sweet and optimistic tone. The story stars Charlie Cox and Zooey Deschanel as a couple who have grown apart, and it’s directed by award-winning playwright Jessica Swale.

Just a heads-up: if you’re looking for something groundbreaking, Merv might not be it. While the show has a strong supporting cast, the writers don’t push the boundaries or ask much of viewers. It’s a pretty standard romantic comedy, even simplified, which leads to the question: is Merv actually worth watching?

Merv Does Exactly What It Says on the Tin

There’s an old saying about the difficulty of working with children and animals, and Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Cox likely knew what they were getting into. Deschanel, the established star, was always going to be the main focus, and Cox’s role was secondary. What makes this lighthearted Christmas romantic comedy work is the genuine dedication both actors bring to their performances.

While the leads might not have incredible on-screen chemistry, it doesn’t ruin the film. James Cox is genuinely likable as Russ, a somewhat chaotic teacher, and Zooey Deschanel shows off the talent that made New Girl so popular. They convincingly portray a couple caring for their spoiled dog, and keep the story moving forward. They argue and playfully fight throughout the movie, but ultimately let the dog, Merv, be the star.

Most romantic comedies begin with a charming first meeting, then create challenges to keep the couple apart before ultimately bringing them together. This film tries something different by starting with a breakup. While this could be a refreshing approach, it might also make it harder for viewers to feel invested in the characters and their journey.

This Rom-Com Breaks One Rule Too Many

Merv feels like a routine effort, lacking the wit and clever writing often found in British films. It relies on strong actors and a respected director to make up for this. Director Jessica Swale showed promise with her 2020 film, Summerland, particularly with Gemma Arterton’s performance. However, Merv doesn’t quite live up to the potential of her previous work.

Five years after winning an Olivier Award, the actor has appeared in a predictable romantic comedy that doesn’t allow her to shine, or even allow a talented cast to make an impact. Despite featuring stars from shows like Doom Patrol, the film feels strangely detached – and it’s unclear if this is a deliberate attempt to avoid typical romantic comedy clichés, or simply a missed opportunity to connect with the audience on an emotional level.

As soon as you start measuring Merv’s story against classic romantic comedies, the flaws become clear. The film asks us to prioritize Merv’s problems over those of Russ and Anna, which actually weakens the genre’s core appeal. While characters like Gaia, brilliantly played by Wynn Everett, offer occasional moments of comedic brilliance, these are rare bright spots.

As a film lover, what really bothered me about Merv was its struggle to balance humor and heart. It felt like whenever a genuinely emotional moment started to build, they’d throw in a cute dog scene to distract you, and honestly, it just undercut everything. Plus, the characters Anna and Russ were so intertwined—they never really felt like they were pulling apart—and that was a big problem. Because of that, the movie never asked me to root for either of them, and it broke a pretty standard storytelling rule. I think that meant I, and probably most viewers, couldn’t fully connect with their struggles or get invested in how things would turn out.

Is Charlie Cox Cut Out for Rom-Coms?

Despite a few minor issues, Merv is perfect for casual holiday viewing because it’s incredibly easy to watch. The best thing you can say about the show is that it’s broadly appealing and enjoyable for everyone. This is thanks in part to actor Justin Cox, who has built a solid career with stage work and appearances in other Netflix projects. Interestingly, romantic comedies are a new genre for him, making Merv a first step into that territory.

Whether or not he’s convincing as a romantic lead is likely to be a major topic of discussion after watching Merv. Aside from his armored suit and weapon skills in that role, viewers haven’t seen much of him in traditional romantic comedies. While Cox has gained recognition for his television work in shows like Treason on Netflix, successfully transitioning to leading roles in feature films is a different challenge.

Before gaining widespread recognition, Charlie Cox had small roles in films like The Merchant of Venice with Al Pacino and Casanova alongside Heath Ledger, both around 2005, and before his work on Daredevil. However, his success with Netflix and Marvel, combined with clever casting, has allowed him to play a character reminiscent of Hugh Grant. Sadly, the result is a somewhat clumsy, though ultimately harmless, romantic performance in a movie filled with predictable clichés.

Despite relying on familiar tropes, the film Merv remains surprisingly effective. It features all the usual suspects – meddling in-laws, annoying coworkers, and quirky cameos – all working to win over the audience. Amidst this gentle chaos, the main character, Russ, feels a bit flat, but somehow fits right in. He’s not unpleasant or boastful, just a bit scattered and lacking drive. The main issue is that he lacks depth, leaving viewers to question if he ever had any real substance to begin with.

Against All Odds, This Doggie Rom-Com Pulls Off the Impossible

Romantic comedies are usually meant to be predictable, and that’s part of their appeal. In a world where dating often leads to disappointment, they offer a comforting escape by relying on classic romantic ideas. The film Merv fully leans into this escapism, delivering exactly what audiences want – a relentlessly cheerful and wish-fulfilling experience that’s hard to resist.

Even though romantic comedies often follow familiar patterns, people still crave genuine connection. That’s why Merv manages to succeed, leaning into those expected tropes. Zooey Deschanel, known for her work in rom-coms, embraces these clichés, giving her character, Anna, enough emotional complexity to make the story believable.

Merv, the dog in the film, is a natural performer, happily doing tricks like high-fives and giving audiences those irresistible puppy-dog eyes. Ever since Lassie became a star on television, dogs have always been popular in movies and shows. Merv is just as good at tugging at your heartstrings and makes the film surprisingly enjoyable.

Even though dogs aren’t known for their acting skills, Merv clearly loves both Russ and Anna equally. Their interactions drive the story forward and hint at what’s going to happen. While the idea of a sad pet might seem silly, that’s okay – audiences generally expect predictable storylines in romantic comedies, and this movie delivers on that front.

Many films, from classics like Brief Encounter to blockbusters like Back to the Future, have borrowed elements of romantic comedy. But creating a truly successful romcom is surprisingly hard because audiences are familiar with all the usual tropes. Merv cleverly addresses this by throwing everything it can into the mix. Whether this over-the-top approach works is debatable, but this charming dog-centered romcom definitely delivers and is worth watching.

Merv premieres December 10 on Prime Video.

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2025-12-09 18:14