Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox Share Behind-the-Scenes Insights on Perfecting the Dirty Dancing Nod in Their Latest Film

Charlie Cox and Zooey Deschanel in ‘Merv,’ Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in ‘Dirty Dancing.’
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Prime Video; Vestron/Kobal/Shutterstock

Key Highlights

• Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox shared insights about how many takes were needed to perfect a nod to Dirty Dancing in their new film, Merv.
• The romantic comedy features a recently separated couple taking their dog on a trip to lift his spirits, ultimately rekindling their relationship.
• Merv is currently streaming on Prime Video.

In their latest film, Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox have recreated one of cinema’s most iconic scenes, delivering a memorable moment in a light-hearted way. The film, Merv, follows a couple’s journey to reconnect during a trip with their dog.

During the film, Deschanel and Cox execute an attempt to mimic the classic lift scene from Dirty Dancing. While their on-screen mishap brings laughter, they revealed in an exclusive interview that the behind-the-scenes experience was vastly different.

“They got it in one take. Thank God,” remarked Deschanel. Cox added, “Yeah, it was the first take. That’s right.”

Zooey Deschanel (left), Gus as Merv (center), and Charlie Cox (right) in ‘Merv.’

Dana Hawley/Prime

The memorable scene involves Deschanel running and leaping into Cox’s arms, mirroring a scene from Dirty Dancing where Jennifer Grey’s character, Baby, jumps into the arms of Patrick Swayze’s character, Johnny. However, the reenactment does not go as planned, leading to an on-screen plunge into a pool.

Deschanel noted, “We had a lot of rehearsal with that, and then figuring out how to shoot it, because the very last part was a stunt. It was very unsafe.” She praised the stunt doubles, saying, “They did an amazing job… because it really looks like a mistake.”

Directed by Jessica Swale, Merv has a script penned by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart. The film also stars Chris Redd, Patricia Heaton, David Hunt, Ellyn Jameson, and Wynn Everett, among others. The titular dog, Gus, is portrayed by a rescue wire-haired terrier.