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?
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.
cohco2001
The Seat Filler, featuring Duane Martin, Kelly Rowland and Shemar Moore will premiere on July 20th at the Fabulous Fox in Atlanta, GA. Those of you in the Atlanta area, be sure not to miss this one night only viewing experience..I will definitely be there. Check for more of these one night only affairs in major markets in your area. Producers Will and Jada Smith, D'Angela Steed, Tisha Campbell Martin, Blair Underwood and the entire Momentum group have committed to producing quality black films featuring great scripts and story lines, talented actors and actresses and viewing them in smaller or more unusual markets...such as the FOX, to bring back quality to films about the black experience to black audiences.
AMarie
I saw this film at the Urbanworld Film Festival last year and was happy to hear that it is coming to theaters this summer. It's pretty well-directed with solid comedic performances from Duane Martin and Deray Davis, who is a bonafide scene stealer. Duane is a great straight man to Deray. And they play well off each other. I loved their scenes together the best. I hadn't even heard of Deray before this flick. Now I seem to see him everywhere, like on Entourage the other night. Kelly is perfect in this role. She might have a nice career in acting after Destiny's Child if she wanted to. Her chemistry with Duane is rally tangible and cute. Although the part she's playing isn't much of a stretch, she makes the most of her role. Shemar Moore plays Kelly's handsome boyfriend who loves himself more than he loves her. Oh, and Melanie from the Spice Girls is in it with a funny part. Great to see a romantic comedy starring a black cast without a ton of racial stereotypes and Hollywood dribble. This is a good solid cast, good little script, high production value for an indie (more than i expected). Check it out if you get a chance.
