Everyone knows the old saying, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." The real saying, attributed to late 17th century English dramatist William Congreve, actually goes "Heav'n has no Rage like Love to Hatred turn'd, Nor Hell a Fury, like a Woman scorn'd." Whatever the wording, the point is still the same: Dump a woman romantically, and get ready for the fire and brimstone treatment.
Of course, if the relationship is ended by the lady's accidental death (not at the hands of the "other woman"), and the man waits over a year before even looking at anyone else, does that still count with the above? That very issue is part of the problem with "Over Her Dead Body," a supposed comedy about an overbearing woman (Eva Longoria Parker) who kicks the bucket via a toppled ice sculpture at her own wedding.
The once groom-to-be (Paul Rudd) has been in a funk for some time (although you'd think he might be grateful having barely escaped the for certain henpecking that was coming his way), and thus his butt-in sis (Lindsay Sloane) decides he needs to move on with his life. Thus, rather than a trip to see Dr. Phil, they head off for a visit with a caterer (Lake Bell) and her business partner (Jason Biggs, doing the "gay" thing, but never believably).
What's that? Oh, beyond making food, Ashley is also a psychic. Not the pull the wool over your eyes charlatan kind played by Whoopi Goldberg in "Ghost," but rather someone who thinks she can actually speak with the dead (considering her two occupations, she would have come in handy conversing with the late restaurateur in "Ratatouille" -- but I digress).
Anyway, Ashley agrees to fake having spoken with Kate in the hereafter as a favor to Chloe to help bro Henry (a veterinarian for no purpose beyond the film getting to show some cute critters) get over his loss. Of course, the fact that Chloe gives Ashley Kate's diary for ghostly pointers is a sure sign we're in romantic comedy (rather than horror) land, as there's no doubt such deception will eventually be outed in the third act before the obligatory "I'm missing you and feel lost" montage.
Since we're in that territory already, it also won't come as a surprise that the psychic caterer and lovelorn vet will end up falling for each other before that diary revelation. But it turns out Kate can't shut up long enough in Heaven's weigh station to hear the instructions, and thus ends up back on Earth. With nothing better to do and suffering from a major case of the green-eyed monster, she opts to ruin the pending relationship.
Okay, so we're obviously not talking any sort of major novelty here, but there's certainly room for potential with that premise. Unfortunately, the only thing writer/director Jeff Lowell (who also penned the awful "John Tucker Must Die") does with the aforementioned quote is deliver a hellish comedy with little in the way of creative or good laughs, but certainly plenty of strained attempts at being funny.
While there's plenty of blame to go 'round in such regards, much of the focus will obviously be on Parker's character since the actress has made quite a name for herself -- in Longoria mode -- in TV's "Desperate Housewives." Beyond stumbling through the part -- no thanks to the lame script and its attempts at "humor" -- the fact that her character isn't likable in the flesh or once in ethereal mode means we have no reason to root for her success.
Or to hope that she fails, as there's little to no chemistry between Rudd and Bell's characters to engage viewers and make them care about their budding love. Without that, about the only thing remaining that might prove interesting would be the ghostly attempts at romantic ruination, but even that's fumbled.
With near infinite possibilities of such supernatural intervention, the best we get is Parker floating above the two love birds commenting on the other woman's past boyfriend saying she was a bad kisser. Oh, and making farting sounds and telling boring pet stories ad naseum. Oooh, that's so not scary and clearly not so funny. All of which holds true for the overall film, an offering that feels artificial and forced from start to finish, and doesn't stand a ghost of a chance of working. "Over Her Dead Body" rates as a 3 out of 10.
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