The Seat Filler
The Seat Filler
| 05 August 2004 (USA)
The Seat Filler Trailers

Derrick is a struggling law student who takes a job as an awards show seat filler to make ends meet. One day, he is seated next to the beautiful pop superstar Jhnelle, who mistakes him for a well-known industry executive. With an instant chemistry, the unlikely pair begin to date.

Reviews
FeistyUpper

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

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Sexyloutak

Absolutely the worst movie.

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FirstWitch

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

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Logan

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

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danceability

A Really Great Romantic Comedy The Seat Filler is a movie that you don't want to miss. Kelly Rowland, singer, model, and 1/3rd of super group Destiny's Child stars in the movie as Jhnele. Jhnele is an internationally known singer. Duane Martin (who hasn't aged since his early 90's series "Up All Night") stars as Derrick. Derrick is a law student. He and his friend E.J. work as seat fillers to make a little extra money.At an awards show she is seated next to Derrick and sparks fly. The problem with Derrick and Jhnele the couple is that Derrick is living a lie when it comes to his relationship with Jhnele. She thinks that he is a powerful Hollywood lawyer. Derrick is everything Jhnele wants in a man, he is far more considerate than her previous man (portrayed by actor Shemar Moore). Jhnele confides in her confidant and personal assistant Sandie. Sandie is portrayed by another real life pop star, former Spice Girl Melanie Brown shines in her role as Jhenele's best friend. Kelly Rowland can really act and her and Duane Martin have great on screen chemistry. The Seat Filler is a great feel good movie. Comedian DeRay Davis has a large role in the movie and he really brings the funny in every scene that he is in. Will Derrick and Jhenele's relationship survive when she learns that he is really just a law student?

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D_Burke

The plot of "The Seat Filler", when you strip it down to its basic components, is just the same as dozens of other romantic comedies. If you know the basic structure of the "boy meets girl" story, especially if it more specifically entails "boy meets girl, then pretends to be someone he's not even though he's being himself the whole time", you pretty much know how the story will go.That being said, however, this romantic comedy holds its own based solely on the strength of intriguing characters, witty dialog, and overall noteworthy acting from most, if not all, involved.Duane Martin, who also co-wrote and produced this movie, really makes a great leading man, and does very well as a character that many people, regardless of race, can relate to. He's very funny in this movie, and he has a very genuine down-to-earth charm that had me root for him throughout the entire movie. If you don't believe he's a good actor, it should be noted that Martin, although he played a man in his late 20's, is actually in his early 40's. He was so convincing, he could play a man a decade and a half his junior! That says something. It really does.DeRay Davis, whose face is more familiar than his name, is also gut-bustingly hilarious as E.J., Martin's fast-talking, wise-cracking roommate. Davis's precise comic timing makes up for some slight plot holes regarding his situation. Specifically, it's never fully determined how the both of them are able to afford the apartment they're in. E.J. appears to be making as much money, if not less, than Martin's character Derrick, and he doesn't appear to have too much ambition to make any more money. But this technicality could be explained in other ways, too, I suppose.Kelly Rowland is admittedly less experienced in acting than Martin, but what she lacks in experience she makes up for in credibility. Rowland in this movie plays someone who should not feel completely unfamiliar to her: a successful solo R&B artist. It's not clarified in this movie how big a star she is, whether she is a crossover success or not. It's true that she's famous enough to have people take pictures of her on the red carpet, and to afford a house as big as she has.It is certain that Rowland has an incredible charm to her. She is incredibly beautiful, but she also has an ability to be so down to earth you just love her to death. I know I did. Rowland gets compared to Beyonce all the time, which isn't hard to figure out. However, Rowland may actually have a stronger gift for acting than her former bandmate which, should it be honed further, could result in a greater screen roles for her. Although Rowland shows some inexperience in this role, she shows a lot of promise.It was surprising to see other supporting acting performances here from those who could have been in bigger movies, such as Kyla Pratt ("Fat Albert", "Dr. Doolittle") and Melanie Brown (formerly known as Scary Spice of the Spice Girls). They are experienced, but they fortunately don't try too hard to steal scenes or overact. That's pretty notable, and it's what makes this low-budget film a lot more memorable than some paltry big budget black comedies such as "Are We Done Yet" or "College Road Trip".Others may be impressed by the cameos in this movie by the likes of Chante Moore, Kenny Lattimore, and Eriq La Salle. They are impressive, but the acting really carries this film. I found this movie at a video rental store, and I bought it used. It was indeed a worthwhile investment, and a movie I will probably go back to again and again. Sure it was predictable, but the acting really carried this movie. So I am recommending it.

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mrs_aamh

It was refreshing to watch a black comedy with well known actors and actresses in the film with no cursing and not insulting one's intelligence. Before this film, I was not a fan of Duane, but I'm most certainly now. I did not realize how sexy he is. I have seen almost all the episodes of "All of Us" too. He was delicious, especially at the part when he is in the aisle of the Shrine trying to win Jhnelle's heart back. That look he gave her after she said, "What do you think?". O my gosh! Sweet and tasty. I did not know Kelly could act. I watched her in Nelly's video...I do not know the name of it, but you know what video I am talking about. Kelly played Jhnelle's part perfectly. I gathered the character was young and pure. Yes, she owned it. My favorite scene was her and Al(not known as Derrick yet) at Santa Monica pier. When she gave Al this innocent kiss and then she looked down then looked at him with a face that said, "I am a virgin, please care for me gently, I love you". Ever love a movie so much that you badly want to meet and speak to the cast? That is how much I love the movie. I want the soundtrack. I am looking all over the web for the CD. I can not find it. Help! When it becomes available, it is mine! The only reason I gave it a 8 and not a 10 is because I did not like the ending at all. Rick, Mark, Duane and all involved just left me hanging. Not right! No disrespect, but I would of rather a juicy ending. Simply disappointed with the ending, but a must see and will love film. Not the traditional black comedy, thank you. : ) More Duane and Kelly, please.

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lady_tee_2

I saw "The Seat Filler" when Duane previewed it in Baltimore and it was well worth the money I spent. Please see this film, you will not be disappointed. Duane and Kelly had great on screen chemistry and that came through to the audience. The love story was very believable and many people in the theater was agree. DeRay was VERY VERY funny, he had my side hurting from his first line to his last line. He is going to be one of the funniest men in show business. Look out for him my people. Kelly Rowland, the girl can sing and act, who knew. She did a wonderful job and she too is turning out to be another one of the brightest Hollywood stars. YOU GO GIRL! Congratulation to all those involved in the film, it was great.

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