Veteran producer Matt Baer spoke with ChurchLeaders about the heart and vision behind “Merv,” a new family film streaming on Prime Video.
Baer, who is known for his work on “Unbroken” and “Jack Frost,” is also joined by producer Roma Downey (“Son of God,” “The Bible,” “Woodlawn,” “The Baxters”). The film features Zooey Deschanel (“Elf,” “New Girl”), Charlie Cox (“Daredevil,” “Spider-Man: No Way Home”), and Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond,” “The Unbreakable Boy,” “The Middle”).
In the interview, Baer explained that the film grew out of an idea he first developed more than a decade ago: a couple who have ended their relationship and are sharing custody of their dog. What began as a novel rom-com concept, he said, has since become a cultural reality, making “Merv” more relevant today than he ever anticipated.
“We have developed the project into a holiday-centered family movie that is trying to take on mature ideas, but in a way that a teenager can very easily understand because teenagers are in relationships in the same way that everybody is in relationships,” Baer said.
Baer emphasized that at its core, “Merv” is about real, unfettered love and the ways families, no matter their shape, can heal from past trauma. He reflected on the challenges of making family-friendly films in today’s post-pandemic movie industry, calling the film something of an “anomaly” due to its strong backing, recognizable stars, and it being centered around a lovable dog.
Baer hopes that families will have a “very positive and shared experience” watching “Merv” and that “ultimately a family’s love for each other can get them through the hardest of times.”
Baer added, “That this family is able to reconcile and move on from their past traumas in a way that will push them to a even better future.”
“Merv” is streaming on Prime Video. Watch the full interview with Matt Baer below:
