Over Her Dead Body is a romantic comedy film starring Eva Longoria Parker, Paul Rudd, Lake Bell, Jason Biggs, Lindsay Sloane, Colin Fickes and Stephen Root. It was written and directed by Jeff Lowell. Kate (Eva Longoria Parker) dies on the day of her wedding to fiancé Henry (Paul Rudd). He subsequently begins a relationship with psychic Ashley (Lake Bell) who becomes haunted by Kate trying to sabotage their relationship.
The film was released in the United States and Canada on February 1, 2008.
Plot
Kate and Henry (Rudd) are about to be married, but on the day of their wedding, Kate is accidentally killed by an ice sculpture angel when it falls on her, after an argument with the sculptor about the lack of wings. A year later, Henry reluctantly agrees to consult a psychic named Ashley (Bell) at the urging of his sister Chloe, arguing that Kate may tell him to get on with his life. Chloe gives Ashley Kate's diary so that Ashley learns information about Kate which seemingly demonstrates psychic abilities. Despite his initial skepticism over these abilities, Henry is impressed. Moreover, Henry and Ashley fall in love.
On the other hand, Kate, after realizing that she is back on Earth, is unsure of what she's supposed to do. She bumps into the ghost of the sculptor to find out that he died as well. He tells her that they are supposed to deal with their unfinished business. Thus, Kate is led to believe that her job is to protect Henry. Later on, Kate, who only Ashley can see, harasses Ashley to force her to break up with Henry. Ashley persists, but Henry discovers the fraud with the diary and breaks up the relationship.
The ghost of the sculptor meets Kate again. And after chatting with him, she realizes that she wants Henry to be happy after all. The movie ends with Henry and Ashley getting married and Kate going back to the room where she originally met the mysterious angel woman who doesn't let her enter heaven because she had not settled her unfinished business.
An extra storyline is about Ashley's assistant Dan (Jason Biggs) who has for years let Ashley think he was gay so he could be remain close as her "gay best friend". She is upset when Dan confesses that he lied to her because he liked the intimacy, even though it was non-sexual. Nevertheless, after Ashley and Henry break up, she decides to give Dan a chance and they head off to Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Kate realizes that Henry needs Ashley, and using a parrot to speak sends him to the airport to stop Ashley. Dan is disappointed that Ashley chooses Henry, but he does make a connection with Chloe at Henry and Ashley's wedding.
Cast
Critical reception
The film received generally negative reviews from critics. As of October 18, 2008, the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 15% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 97 reviews.[1] Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 31 out of 100, based on 27 reviews.[2]
The film received an overall "C" grade from critics on Yahoo! Movies. Matt Pais of the Chicago Tribune called it "The kind of movie that wouldn't even hold your attention mid-flight." A.O. Scott of the New York Times said "...could be much worse. But it also could have been, with a little more effort, a lot better."
James Berardinelli of ReelViews called it "as mediocre a motion picture as you're likely to find in a multiplex this season." Sean Axmaker of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer said "...it's as flat as day-old soda, a comedy completely lacking in bubbles or fizz." Radiotimes gave the film one star out of five: "There's nothing worse than a bungled comedy, but this just might be it."
Box office performance
The film opened in eleventh place at the box office with $4,600,000.[3][4] As of October 5, 2008, the film had grossed a total of $20,683,489 worldwide.[5]
DVD release
The movie was released to DVD on May 6, 2008.[6]
References
External links
