MCTOver Her Dead Body
Rating: 1/5
Starring: Eva Longoria Parker, Paul Rudd, Jason Biggs
Directed by: Jeff Lowell
I do recall making some sort of “I’ll see ‘Over Her Dead Body’ over mine” joke when I was first subjected to the trailer of this heinous romantic comedy. Unfortunately, my job is to brave the bad ones so you don’t have to and, frankly, this one wouldn’t have been any better posthumously. It’s not as if it is the worst film in cinematic history. It’s stultifyingly bad, it’s painful and it’s boring, but there are worse ways to spend your time in the theater. “Meet the Spartans” comes to mind.
It’s not the film in general I take issue with (since, really, it’s too easy and not worth my time to criticize it) but with poor Paul Rudd, who used to be so respectable. Therefore, instead of a review proper, I’ve decided to direct this little bit of newsprint to Mr. Rudd, wherever he may be.
Dear Mr. Rudd, wherever you may be:
I know we all have rough times; I sympathize. It’s just that those hard times don’t usually come in the midst of good ones. Your good times were so entertaining and often witty and whip smart-remember the days of “Clueless,” “Anchorman” and “Knocked Up”? Yes, those were fine days. Recently, it looked as if you were about to hit your stride in earnest. Usually, when an actor is riding the warm draft of rising salaries and notoriety, he enjoys it and continues to make films he feels have some value. And yet you’ve made “Over Her Dead Body.” A quick reference of your IMDb.com résumé reveals you are currently in pre-production on not one, but three, terrible romantic comedies. Paul, if you were here, I would roll up this newspaper and swipe you soundly in the nose with it. “Bad Paul Rudd!” I would shout and put you out on the porch. But since you are neither here nor four-legged, this verbal rolled newspaper must suffice. Please, since I esteem you so highly and will see your films until you’ve thoroughly convinced me to do otherwise, please stop with these trashy paycheck providers. We all have to live, I know, but must you do so so shamelessly? Couldn’t you have been in that nice movie about the man and his oil? What was wrong with that one? Give Daniel Day-Lewis a chance to phone in a sheepish performance for a romantic comedy. It’s his turn.
Sincerely, Cadenza
P.S. I did like the wedding scene in “Over Her Dead Body,” but only because the set was a replica of the church from “Heathers.” You weren’t in that one, were you?