Over Her Dead Body (2008): A Movie Review

Over Her Dead Body is a romantic comedy starring Eva Longoria Parker as Kate. Kate is a bridezilla who accidentally gets killed on her wedding day by an ice sculpture. Kate is not happy in death and is sent back to earth in ghostly form to settle some unfinished business. Her boyfriend Henry, played by Paul Rudd, is having a hard time adjusting to her death. In an attempt to get Henry to move on, Henry's sister Chloe takes him to a psychic. Sparks fly and Henry and the psychic Ashley hit it off. Kate is not happy with this and decides her unfinished business is to keep Ashley and Henry apart. Warning: my movie review contains plot spoilers.

Over Her Dead Body is actually pretty funny and entertaining. Lake Bell does an excellent job as Ashley, the psychic/caterer. Ashley doesn't get an initial reading from Henry so Chloe, played by Lindsay Sloane, gives Ashley Kate's diary. Ashley is initial upset with deceiving Henry with fake information but Ashley really likes Henry so she agrees to the small scam. Ashley and Henry start dating but are haunted by the vengeful Kate. It turns out Ashley really is psychic and she can see and hear Kate perfectly. Since Ashley is the only one who can hear Kate, Kate uses that to her advantage and puts Kate in some very embarrassing situations. Not to be deterred by the annoying Kate, Ashley stays with Henry until Henry discovers that Chloe gave Ashley the diary. That ends up ruining their relationship even though Henry knows Ashley can really talk to Kate because there are some things Ashley knows that aren't in the diary.

Jason Biggs has an interesting role as Dan, Ashley's gay assistant. It turns out he really isn't gay. It was just a misunderstanding that he let go on for five years because he secretly loves Ashley and didn't have the guts to say anything until now. Ashley only likes him as a friend but since she is heartbroken over Henry, she decides to give Dan a chance.

Kate starts to get a heart when she sees Dan moping around his apartment. She finally realizes that Ashley and Dan are perfect together. Kate tries to tell Ashley but Ashley is skeptical of Kate because of all of her past tricks. Kate then try's to get Dan's attention but since he can't see her, she figures out how to talk through the parrot. Kate talking through the parrot are truly some of the funniest scenes in the movie.

Kate succeeds in reuniting the couple and they live happily ever after. Kate looks on with tears in her eyes but she finally succeeds in going to heaven. Or does she? The movie ends with Kate being cranky with an angel who says something about taking orbs of light. I didn't get that part but I am sure it is just a lead in for a possible sequel.

Over Her Dead Body is a great romantic comedy. Paul Rudd is great as his usual funny self and all of the other actors play well off of each other. I give the movie 5 out of 5 stars.