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Eva falls from grace in new comedy

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Also by Kari Krajewski:

DVD perfect for enthusiastic fans (February 14, 2008)
Eva falls from grace in new comedy (February 5, 2008)

by Kari Krajewski

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

An empty theater on a movie’s opening weekend generally doesn’t bode well for a film’s success. Such was the situation this writer found herself in regarding the movie “Over Her Dead Body.” On a positive note, open guffaws and cries of sarcastic disbelief would not be met with a loud “SHHHH!” from annoyed fellow audience members. But on the flip side, when it’s just yourself and the projectionist in the theater, any doubts about the film’s potential charm are quickly quieted anyhow.

The film, apparently serving as the star vehicle for “Desperate Housewives” cast member Eva Longoria Parker, focuses on Kate, an overbearing Type-A personality preparing to wed Henry (Paul Rudd, “Knocked Up”), a calm veterinarian with a seductively sarcastic charm. Basically, their relationship is a bluntly obvious case of “opposites attract.”

As the film opens, Kate is seen frantically racing around the reception venue, making sure everything is perfect for her big day. Flowers are critiqued, decorations are mussed with — even the reception’s place settings get the thrice over from this bridezilla. But it’s the confrontation with a sculptor (played wonderfully by Stephen Root, otherwise known as Milton from “Office Space”) who delivers Kate’s life-sized ice angel that pushes her over the edge. Irritated with the angel’s lack of wings, Kate flies into a rage at the man’s apparent unwillingness to either fix the mistake or bring her another angel. The sculpture is then loaded back into the pickup truck it came from, and the man backs out, preparing to drive away when — oops! — poor Kate is crushed by the angel.

The film fast-forwards to one year later, when Henry is still struggling to get over his fiancee’s sudden death. Chloe, his busybody sister, convinces him to visit a psychic named Ashley to help him move on. Henry, albeit with much skepticism, finally gives in. Unfortunately for Ashley, her luck with the afterlife changes as she and Henry start seeing each other. This really angers Ghost Kate, who shows up determined to crash the party and keep Henry for herself.

Despite the fact that Longoria Parker is the film’s lead, she appears in the film itself for little over half of its running time. Don’t be mistaken, though, this is actually a good thing — her dreadful overacting is painful to watch. Theoretically, based on reports of Longoria Parker’s personal life, she should have this type of shrilly, bronzed, bitchy character perfected by now, yet it is almost impossible to take her performance seriously. Her acting seems to be on par with a high school production.

To be fair, the movie’s failures don’t rest solely on Longoria Parker. The plot is cliche-ridden and filled with unfunny gags and dubious subplots. One of many extremely unlikely events involves Ashley’s best friend Dan (Jason Biggs, “American Pie”), who reveals later in the film that he pretended to be gay for five years because he was in love with Ashley.

Also, there’s something strangely unsettling about a ghost and a psychic fighting over the romantic affections of said ghost’s ex-fiance. But having that ghost hover over you as you’re trying to make sweet love to the ex-fiance? That’s creepy, indeed.

The movie’s only saving grace comes from Rudd, which only makes the audience wonder why he agreed to do this film in the first place. Although Rudd phones in his performance throughout the entire movie, his sarcastic portrayal and humorous one-liners are enough to keep audiences sitting. But Paul Rudd, you can do so much better.

Jason Biggs and Stephen Root also offer enjoyable performances to the otherwise failed film, though not enough to save it entirely.

Ironically, it is the women in this film who come across as unlikable, with Kate coming out on top as the most unsympathetic of the bunch. Chloe, likewise, is immature, whiny and unreasonable, and Ashley is fighting with a dead woman over a guy she just met. Enough said.

If bad acting and a subpar plot is your cup of tea, then buy a ticket to see “Over Her Dead Body.” If you do, don’t forget to bring a six-pack of your favorite beer, for this is a movie that must get better with alcohol in your system. At least, one can only hope.

2 stars out of 5

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