“High concept” can fail even when the concept in question is intriguing and people involved in the project are talented. One such example is provided by *Drop Dead Fred*, 1991 fantasy comedy directed by Ate de Jong. The protagonist, played by Phoebe Cates, is Elizabeth “Lizzie” Cronin, young woman whose marriage to car dealer Charlie (played by Tim Matheson) is falling apart. Attempts of reconciliation fail and, to…







