...[Audiences] are going to get everything. Listen, it has romance. It has Christmas. And it has a dog. I mean, what more do we need?" Roma Downey told Movieguide®. ...It's an excuse to curl up on the couch with your mom, with your grandma, with your kids, and enjoy a lovely holiday movie together."

...I hope it's just heartwarming, you know, it's tongue in cheek, so it's meant to be kind of fun and silly. And there's hopefully a couple of moments that are, you know, make you think about the challenges of relationships, the challenges of being a grown-up, you know, and navigating middle age," added Charlie Cox. ...But it's meant to be fun. And it's meant to be silly and charming, hopefully."

Related: The Red Carpet Premiere of Merv

MERV is a unique story as it places a new spin on the Christmas romance and dog movie by combining the two. After splitting up, Anna and Russ get an opportunity to rekindle their relationship after the dog they got together becomes depressed after the breakup.

...Well, I first read the screenplay and I really loved the concept. I thought it was so sweet," said Zooey Deschanel, who plays Anna. ...Then I got to talk to this amazing person, Jess [the director of the movie], and we got along so well, and I wanted to do the movie. Then working with Gus and Charlie was just an absolute dream. What incredible actors. Very different. Different styles Gus works for sausages and Charlie works for hamburgers. Similar, but different, although I bet Gus would work for a hamburger too."

The movie also focuses on a father-son relationship as Cox's character has to worry about his dad who has a heart attack. Meanwhile, Cox's father, played by David Hunt, is just as worried about his son because he believes he is making a mistake by breaking up with Anna.

...It's really about unconditional love really is what it is," Hunt told Movieguide®. ...Love bombing your kids. And as I've said before, I'm sure, I know this from my own experience with my own dad who was absent a lot when I was young, kids want to know that their mom and dad are there. They want to be able to go, okay, good. Okay, I'm sage and then they can go out and deal with the world...They're going to make their own decisions and you just have to kind of be beside them and the most you can do is pray for them."

According to the Movieguide® review:

MERV is fairly charming. The camerawork and editing are superb. The chemistry between Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox carries the entire picture. Both actors convey the main couple's joy, guilt and positive transformation. However, the script lacks originality, and the ending isn't as satisfying as it could have been. That said, Anna and Russ slowly mend their breakup by trying to help their pet battle depression. They openly care for their neighbors, visit their families during Christmas, and take their responsibility as dog owners seriously. Though not legally married, they express an interest in holy matrimony. However, MERV is marred by brief foul language, innuendo, drunkenness, and lying. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for [young] viewers.

With all of these themes working together, MERV is sure to become a holiday favorite for many. MERV will be available to stream on Prime Video starting Dec. 10. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

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