Review of Over Her Dead Body (2008) by Spencer S — 12 Sep 2010

There is, of course, that old critical standby: The funniest scenes were in the trailer. Unfortunately, the preview footage for this soulless comedy lacked anything remotely humorous. Short of ?Free Dish Night,? audiences are then left to the acting devices of Desperate Housewives sudster Eva Longoria Parker who, ironically, kind of puts the ?dish? in Free Dish Night with this, her first starring vehicle. And thank God she looks good because, as evidenced by her work here, this lovely cannot act her way out of another dish?a soapdish. Her co-stars, however, seem game for a good show?if only the material was worthy of their time.

This PG-13-rated ghost comedy finds a lovelorn bachelor (Rudd) haunted by his dead fiancée (Parker) after he begins playing the field with a psychic (Lake Bell).

Poor Paul Rudd. This predictable tripe is so beneath his droll talents. First of all, there is the unlikely relationship between him and Parker. And it?s not the improbability of his Average Joe bedding her Cosmopolitan majesty. Rather, this unlikelihood arises from his falling in love with Parker?s horribly underdeveloped character and the actress?s amazing inability at handling even this most paper-thin of prospects. And second, there is the ?if only? potential of his co-star for breakout success. Doing her damnedest to make her way through the tired Three Stooges-inspired pratfalls, Bell makes a great foil for a bitchy ghost?if only the was funny. And lastly, the audience knows it?s in trouble when Jason (American Pie) Biggs is providing some of the biggest laughs.

Bottom line: Bring out the dead thud.