Waiting to Exhale (1995)

Based on Terry McMillan's novel, this film follows four very different African-American women and their relationships with the male gender.

Director:

Forest Whitaker

Writers:

Terry McMillan (novel), Terry McMillan (screenplay),

Stars:

Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine

8 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Whitney Houston	...	Savannah Jackson
Angela Bassett	...	Bernadine Harris
Loretta Devine	...	Gloria Matthews
Lela Rochon	...	Robin Stokes
Gregory Hines	...	Marvin King
Dennis Haysbert	...	Kenneth Dawkins
Mykelti Williamson	...	Troy
Michael Beach	...	John Harris, Sr.
Leon	...	Russell
Wendell Pierce	...	Michael Davenport
Donald Faison	...	Tarik Matthews
Jeffrey D. Sams	...	Lionel
Jazz Raycole	...	Onika Harris
Brandon Hammond	...	John Harris, Jr.
Kenya Moore	...	Denise

Storyline

This story based on the best selling novel by Terry McMillan follows the lives of four African-American women as they try to deal with their very lives. Friendship becomes the strongest bond between these women as men, careers, and families take them in different directions. Often light-hearted this movie speaks about some of the problems and struggles the modern women face in today's world.

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Plot Keywords:

African American | Single Mother | Human Relationship | Interracial Relationship | Divorce | 

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Taglines:

Friends are the people who let you be yourself... and never let you forget it.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some strong sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 December 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

4 Mulheres Apaixonadas

Filming Locations:

Chandler, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$16,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

£1,240,401 (UK) (23 February 1996)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although Whitaker had earlier directed an HBO drama called Strapped - for which he received Best New Director honors at the Toronto Film Festival - this film was his first job directing a full-length feature film.

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Goofs

Gloria's right earring appears and disappears during her conversation with her ex-husband about their son.

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Quotes

Bernadine: I give you 11 fucking years of my life and you're telling me you're leaving me for a white woman?
John Sr.: Would it help if she was black?
Bernadine: No. It would help if you were black.

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Connections

Referenced in Waiting to Inhale (2005)
title reference

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Soundtracks

"Sittin' Up In My Room"
Performed by Brandy Norwood (as Brandy)
Written by Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds (as Babyface)
Produced by Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds (as Babyface) for Ecaf Productions
Brandy appears courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corporation

User Reviews

WHINE! WHINE! WHINE!

With all the hype surrounding "Waiting to Exhale," I was looking forward to renting it on video. It's nice to know that someone has made a movie with four strong, independent African-American women.

But when I saw it - and maybe this is me ranting because I, being a white male, am not part of the target audience - I was annoyed by all the whining, especially regarding that the men that these women were sleeping with/getting divorced from were leaving them for white women.

I can understand them being upset, even furious, with all of the philandering. But they act as if it would be OK if the men left them for other African-American women. Not to make light of the issues of racism, adultery, or divorce, but I can image Bernadine saying, "Hey, Savannah, I see that you're sleeping with my husband. Care if I join in!?" (Apologies to those who may take offense).

Speaking of Savannah, why is Whitney Houston complaining about finding the right man when she seems to be able to have sexual relations with any man that has matinee idol looks and a job - not to mention is *MARRIED*. I guess that any man who isn't married is a loser to Whitney.

Having not read the book, I realize that this is merely an adaptation - or, for Terry McMillan's sake, I hope it is. I'm not knocking any of the acting. Angela Bassett, Whitney Houston, Lela Rochon and Loretta Devine, as well as the supporting cast, are all talented and do commendable jobs. And Forest Whitaker proves himself to be a talented director. It's just that the lion's share of the characters come off as unsympathetic.

I realize that I'm merely scratching the surface, but I've wasted enough time on this movie. "Why Do Fools Fall In Love," the movie which describes Frankie Lymon's battles with the recording industry and liasons (sp) with three different women, one of which is Rochon, is a far superior movie and worth at least $5 of the $6 that I paid to see it.

I give this one 2 out of 10.