OVER HER DEAD BODY is a strange one for a romantic comedy.  The plot involves a jealous loudmouth ghost, Ashley (Lake Bell) who tries to sabotage her groom’s current relationship with a psychic, Kate.  (The ghost was killed by an ice statue at the wedding.) But Kate (Eva Longoria Parker) defies the supernatural and woos – after all this is a lady’s film – Henry (Paul Rudd). 

Writer/director Jeff Lowell plays it for over the top laughs most of the time – setting the stage in most cases with all seriousness.  Take the exorcism and airport scene for examples.  The best joke also involves the most obvious.  When Kate is asked by Henry what the dead ghost has to say him: the answer is “Hi, Henry.” Lowell’s actors are funny enough, especially Lake Bell as the annoying ghost.  American Pie Jason Biggs steals the show as Kate’s best friend, Dan in what can be called a non-gay gay role.

The comedy is pleasant – even the extended fart joke is inoffensive.  Never mind a bit of the plot’s problematic logic like why Dan is such a coward for 5 years and then suddenly blurting it all out at once.  Everyone is happy at the end and it is difficult not to dislike a film with such good intentions for its characters.