Rom-coms can work. They can be wonderfully entertaining, or too cheesy. They can delight, and we know going in how things are going to work out, we just like to see how things fall into place. Sometimes that can elevate the genre, sometimes they just muddle about.

Merv muddles about. It’s fairly basic, though it does have a fun idea at its heart. The film stars Charlie Cox, Zooey Deschanel and a terrier mix named Gus. Gus is the titular Merv. He’s suffering from depression, because after a years long relationship, Anna (Deschanel) and Russ (Cox) have broken up.

They are sharing custody of their dog, Merv, who they adopted together back when he was a pup in a rescue shelter. Now, they trade off weeks and weekends, and Merv is growing increasingly despondent living in the two homes when he knows his people need to be together.

Russ decides he and Merv need a guys trip and the pair head to Florida to a hotel specifically for dogs. Things get complicated when Anna decides to show up as well. Can the trio find a way to be a family again?

Russ makes out better character-wise than Anna does. Sure, he’s a bit of a goof, but he is earnest, connects with people, and he’s likable. In fact, the film goes out of its way to make Russ fairly appealing.

Anna doesn’t com across quite so well, and that’s bothersome. A couple of characters show romantic interest in her, but neither of them are particularly likable. It would have been more interesting if both characters had the potential to find real happiness with other characters.

There’s a heartbreaking reason for their breakup, though because of the nature of rom-coms you can’t expect an in-depth exploration of it. Consequently, without its exploration, Anna suffers as a character.

There are barriers set up for the couple to overcome, and there are lots of dogs to watch. Gus is an adorable pup, and as Merv he is more than able to steal whatever scene he is in. The camera loves him.

There’s some goofy moments, some interesting musical choices, and some really good ones, but overall, despite the potential, Merv is nothing more than a run of the mill rom-com. Perfectly acceptable for what it is, but completely forgettable the moment the credits roll.

Both Cox and Deschanel are wonderful as actors, and there’s some fun chemistry, but there’s nothing really for the story, or characters to do but follow the formula, and fall in love again.

I’ll be honest, I basically watched it for the dog, though I like both the leads. It is what it is, it’s mindless, and passes an afternoon. But I do like the idea.