By Paul Salfen for AMFM Magazine
This holiday season, get ready for the ultimate feel-good movie that proves sometimes the best relationship advice comes from a four-legged friend. MERV, the new romantic comedy starring Zooey Deschanel, Charlie Cox, and an unbelievably charismatic rescue terrier mix named Gus* (playing the titular Merv), is exactly the warm hug audiences need right now.
In a recent exclusive interview, veteran producer Matt Baer (Unbroken, Jack Frost) opened up about bringing this unique dog-centric story to life, working with his dear friend Roma Downey and why MERV feels like the perfect movie for our times.
The Premise That Hits Close to Home
When their beloved dog Merv loses his spark after their split, Anna (Zooey Deschanel) and Russ (Charlie Cox) are forced into the world’s most awkward co-parenting arrangement. Hoping to shake Merv out of his funk, Russ takes him to Florida for a much-needed getaway—only for Anna to show up unexpectedly. As Merv slowly gets his groove back, turns out fixing their dog’s broken heart may lead to a few sparks of their own.
“It’s very contemporary,” Baer explains. “There are millions of people post-Covid who now share custody of their dog. This is relatable. And it’s about watching a family go through real emotional struggles, but how actual love—between parents, a child, and in this case the dog—brings the best out of people.”
Finding the Perfect (and Smartest) Leading Dog
One of the biggest challenges? Casting a dog who could carry an entire movie.
“We’ve never produced a movie with a dog as one of the three leading characters,” Baer laughs. “But Gus, who plays Merv, is a seriously trained dog. There’s a vast difference between a well-trained pet and a film-trained animal.”
Baer notes that certain breeds—like German Shepherds and Collies—dominate Hollywood for a reason: “They have big brains.” Gus, in particular, proved extraordinary.
“Gus’s face is actually expressive,” Baer reveals. “A large part of it is editing—maximizing what Gus gave us—but a lot of it is in the eyes. You have to find a dog that’s interesting to look at for two hours.”
The result? A performance so nuanced that, with clever editing and the human actors’ delivery, audiences swear Merv understands every word.
A Post-Pandemic Love Letter Filmed in North Carolina
Shot in North Carolina—the first major production back after Covid and the strikes—MERV benefited from a crew and cast starved for work and overflowing with gratitude.
“Everybody was so happy to be working again,” Baer remembers. “Our director Jessica Swale is a fantastic leader, and we made sure everyone was treated well. Add a lovable dog on set every day? The mood was joyful.”
“My relationship with Roma is one of the most important friendships I’ve ever had,” Baer says warmly. “She’s one of the nicest, warmest, most genuine people I know. She wanted to make this film for the same reasons I did—putting good out into the world. That message is something I believe in deeply, and Roma is the most wonderful conveyor of it.”
A Producer’s Journey: From Unbroken to a Dog Named Merv
With a career that includes the 17-year passion project Unbroken and beloved classics like Jack Frost, Baer knows perseverance.
When asked about his own “Hail Mary” moment, there’s no hesitation: “Unbroken. I developed a friendship with Louis Zamperini that lasted 16 years before he passed. I kept throwing that football until it finally caught.”
MERV, while lighter in tone, carries the same heart.
“I want people to watch it with their family,” Baer says. “To laugh, to feel entertained, but also to feel something real. We’re in short supply of well-done romantic comedies. This one has real actors, a real director, and a heart that’s overflowing with goodness.”
This holiday season, let MERV remind you that families come in all shapes and sizes—and sometimes, all it takes to mend a broken heart (human or canine) is a road trip to Florida and a whole lot of love.
MERV is in theaters and available on streaming this holiday season. Bring tissues. And maybe your dog.
*previously we had listed Gus as a German Shepherd. Yes, we know better. We’ve corrected this to his proper breed. Also, While Gus was the main dog, an untrained “stunt double” named Captain Chaos was used for some of the more enthusiastic scenes.
