OVER HER DEAD BODY
US, 2008, 93 minutes, Colour.
Eva Longoria Parker, Paul Rudd, Lake Bell, Jason Biggs.
Directed by Jeff Lowell.
An undemanding romantic and ghost movie designed for an easy night out. It is also a Hollywood attempt for Eva Longoria to make a popular transition from television and Desperate Housewives to stardom on the big screen. She seems to be enjoying herself in the role of Paul Rudd’s fiancée who, even on their wedding day, is such a control freak that her interventions are the death of her (literally). She may or may not have seen Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit or even Ghost, but she does a fair bit of intervening in her fiance’s life, always to protect him, of course, but more than a bit possessive when it comes to dealing with the potential rival.
The rival is played by the vigorous Lake Bell (also from television, from Boston Legal). She is a would-be psychic who runs a catering business on the side with friend, Jason Biggs. She tries to help the forlorn almost-husband but her psychic skills do not work. When she starts falling in love with her client, the ghost steps in with a vengeance (literally).
Nothing particularly original, but it is not that kind of film. Rather, it relies on some charm from the stars, the humour of some awkward situations, especially the ghost having to communicate to her fiancé via a parrot (whose voice is credited to the writer-director!) and the audience wanting to see how the ghost gives up, does her good turn and gets to heaven (almost).
1.Popular romantic comedy? Ghost story? The traditions of the screwball comedy? Of the intervening ghosts? An up-to-date version?
2.The Los Angeles settings, affluent society, the world of the vet, the world of the psychic, the world of caterers? Homes, restaurants? Believable atmosphere? The musical score?
3.The title, the humour, Kate as a ghost, Ashley and her experience of the ghost? Her romancing Henry – and Kate’s interventions?
4.The prologue, the introduction to Henry, his love for Kate, the plans for the wedding, the wedding day, Kate’s bossiness, with those doing the serving, with the ice sculptor, the irony of her being crushed by the ice sculpture after arguing whether angels had wings? Her going to Heaven – the confrontation with the angel, Kate telling her off, the angel disappearing – and Kate left on Earth to fend for herself?
5.Henry, a year of mourning, staying at home? Chloe and her interventions? Getting him to visit Ashley? Their meeting, the discussion, his not believing in psychics? The accidents with Dan in the kitchen? Chloe and her continued interventions, getting Henry to meet Ashley, the supermarket encounter, Ashley and her words from Kate’s diary? Henry’s growing interest, going out together, the meals, falling in love? Kate’s arrival?
6.Ashley, in herself, her catering work, the friendship with Dan, the gay friend? The upsets in the kitchen? Her psychic powers – or not? With Henry, the attraction? Her being forced to intervene by Chloe? The supermarket encounter, going out, the dates, her enjoying Henry’s company, falling in love?
7.Kate, materialising, her interview with Ashley, the voice from the dead? Ashley realising what was happening? Kate and her continued interventions – the comic touch, bossiness, the breaking wind sequence? Her turning up in different places, in the medicine cupboard? Her sabotaging the relationship? The weekend away, her turning up, driving Ashley away?
8.Chloe, the revelation of the truth? Henry and his reaction? Kate and her disappearance? The effect on Henry, other dates, his comments about cats? Ashley and the other dates, their coming on, her rejecting them? Her being miserable?
9.Dan, his devotion to Ashley, the revelation of the truth? The five years together, sharing, the best of friends? Ashley upset, rejecting Dan?
10.Henry, at work, the fat dog, his antipathy towards cat owners?
11.Kate, her meetings with the sculptor, their discussions about missions? His mission to help her to see the truth? Her realisation that she should help Henry? Her going to Ashley, conceding her place, being gracious – with the controlling touch? The new encounter, falling in love, the wedding, Kate and Ashley having a chat at the back of the church? The ceremony, the dancing? Dan and his meeting Chloe and their clicking?
12.The happy ending for all – but with Kate going back to Heaven and still being controlling with the angel?
