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Over Her Dead Body Review

Movies.com Critics

2.5

Dave White Profile

… impossible to hate this dumb, barely funny movie. Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 2.0
    30

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally unfavorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 20

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

    The kindest context in which to put Over Her Dead Body, which was written and directed by Jeff Lowell, is that of a training film, a public display of people trying to master their craft. The best way to see it is not at all.

    Read Full Review

  • 40

    out of 100

    Variety Dennis Harvey

    Even the weakest "Desperate Housewives" episode packs more heat than this tepid romantic comedy-fantasy, whose basic plot gimmick has been done as far back as "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir."

    Read Full Review

  • 40

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Kevin Crust

    For what is essentially a screwball comedy, Over Her Dead Body is surprisingly uninspired, a frothy concept that offers little satisfaction in the way of execution.

    Read Full Review

  • 40

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Sheri Linden

    Rudd is an underappreciated comic actor, and his line readings are the best thing in the film, but the bland role barely taps his talent. Amid the rest of the cast's one-note posing, his scenes with a parrot have a spontaneity and wit otherwise in short supply.

    Read Full Review

  • 42

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

    Rudd's talents as a thinking woman's charmer are wasted -- as are those of amiable Jason Biggs in a weak variation on the pop theme of being a gal's gay best friend.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    Though the tale may fall short on imagination, the principal actors make Over Her Dead Body livelier than one would expect.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    Consider for a moment how this movie might play if it took itself seriously. Would it be better than as a comedy? I suspect so.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    The New York Times A.O. Scott

    For what it is -- a romantic comedy about the rivalry between a jealous ghost and a flaky psychic for the love of a veterinarian -- Over Her Dead Body is not bad.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Over Her Dead Body reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 13+

Ghost-lite romantic comedy is only so-so.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this romantic comedy stars Eva Longoria Parker, who's popular (and familiar to teens) not just for her starring role in Desperate Housewives but also for her tabloid-followed celebrity marriage to NBA player Tony Parker. There's not really any gratuitous content in the film: The language is standard for the PG-13 rating ("bitch," "s--t," etc.), there's no violence or overt product tie-ins, and the one (aborted) love scene (which shows a man and a lingerie-clad woman fooling around in bed) is more humorous than sexy.

  • Families can talk about how Hollywood portrays the afterlife. Can you think of other movies that focus on a ghost trying to communicate with someone or change something among the living? How do the representations of ghostly life differ? Kids: Do you think this movie has a happy ending? Why or why not?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Ashley agrees to scam Henry about communicating with his dead fiancée. Kate uses her time as a ghost trying to sabotage a potential relationship between Henry and Ashley.

What to watch for
  • violence false0

    Violence: Kate is crushed by an ice sculpture, but viewers don't see it happen. In a funny but slightly creepy scene, Kate levitates and talks in a loud voice while trying to scare Ashley.

  • sex false3

    Sex: Henry and Kate kiss and hug on their wedding day. Ashley and Henry kiss and fool around in bed (she's wearing lingerie). Henry's sister describes his potential date as a woman with "huge breasts" who "loves oral sex."

  • language false3

    Language: Language includes "s--t," "bitch," "ass," "piss," "dick," etc.

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Nothing overt: a Uniden cordless phone and a couple of recognizable cars (no visible logos).

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: A character tells a guy she's interested in that if he likes her, "just wait until I'm drunk." Adults drink beer, wine at dinner.

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 3.352
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4

by PirateVanRock

3

by StacyWirth

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