Written by Linda
February 14, 2009
Leave it to clueless ol' me to be the last one to realize that the singing star of The Seat Filler is actually in Destiny's Child (or was? don't they break up every year?). And here I was thinking that this pretty young diva sang songs that sounded and awful lot like they were from a Diet Pepsi commercial. Coincidence? I think not!
Duane Martin stars as Derrick, a struggling law student who shares a ramshackle apartment with his best friend E.J. (the motor-mouthed comic DeRay Davis). The guys make money by being seat-fillers at awards shows. If you don't know about these invisible folks, they are the warm bodies that made a theater look full when the stars arrive late, or are drinking in the lobby, or are stuck in the bathroom.
At one show, Derrick is lucky enough to be seated next to pop superstar Jhnelle (pop star Kelly Rowland). They strike up a conversation (which is totally against seat-filler rules), and sparks fly. Next thing you know, they are going out on dates, with sweet Jhnelle thinking Derrick is actually a hotshot entertainment lawyer. Though Derrick is completely out of his league financially (and does his best to fake his way through situations), he is a great match for this young woman who deals mostly with industry sleazebags. Will she dump sweet Derrick when she realizes he is just a Regular Joe? What will he do when his cover is blown?
The Seat Filler is a pleasant romantic comedy that is entirely predictable, while still keeping you entertained with the appealing leads and knowing entertainment-industry humor. You'd like to think that famous people are as down to earth as Jhnelle, in her fancy house, hanging with her best friend (Spice Girl Mel B!), who is seemingly on her payroll (what exactly does she do except hang around for slumber parties?). And it is refreshing to see an almost entirely African-American cast playing roles that are not Hustle & Flow-redux (i.e. pimps, hos, and gangstas). Duane Martin is an appealing nice guy, and as hokey as the finale is, you want to give him props for getting the girl back. Ooops! Did I just give away the ending?
