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Waiting to Exhale (1995)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:24
Fresh:13
Rotten:11
Average Rating:5.6/10
Synopsis: The adaptation of Terry McMillan's best-selling novel, about four middle-class, African-American friends, and their continuing efforts to find Mr. Right. The story begins with Bernadine, whose... The adaptation of Terry McMillan's best-selling novel, about four middle-class, African-American friends, and their continuing efforts to find Mr. Right. The story begins with Bernadine, whose husband John calmly announces that he's leaving her -- for a white woman. Furthermore, the wealthy John has been manipulating his finances, and leaves Bernadine virtually broke. But Bernie gets her revenge, in a rather "fiery" fashion. Then there's Savannah, who re-ignites a relationship with her ex-boyfriend, who's married with children. Meanwhile, dim-bulb Robin dates hordes of Mr. Wrongs before going back to Russell, who's also married. Will either come to her senses? Finally, portly, single mom Gloria gave up on finding a man years ago, concentrating instead on raising her son. Ironically, it is she who finds love, with her new neighbor. For these women, finding a man is secondary to one thing: their close love and affection for one another. And it is this bond that helps them get through the pain and heartache of their lives. [More]
Starring: Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon, Loretta Devine
Starring: Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon, Loretta Devine, Michael Beach, Gregory Hines, Mykelti Williamson, Wesley Snipes, Dennis Haysbert
Director: Forest Whitaker
Director: Forest Whitaker
Reviews for Waiting to Exhale
The huge crossover success of the stylish but shallow melodrama, based on McMillan's best-seller, doesn't make it better or more substantial but it shows how ignored the black middle class, particularly women, hade been in Hollywood pictures.
Whitney Houston's alleged dramatic acting and dull, uninvolving storyline weighs down the virtues of the film.
There are some humorous observations, irrefutable truths and good performances that make this movie worthwhile to those in a man-bashing mindframe.
Is there a woman alive who hasn't demanded an explanation from the Almighty about the losers that she keeps getting?
Never escapes the queasy aura of Melrose Place: just another story about beautiful people with small problems.
A pleasant if undemanding piece of work that is diverting to sit through though it won't stand up to any kind of rigorous examination.
Four main female characters trudging through a movie's worth of similar repeated blunders adds up to one scary truckload of drama.
It is a two-hour music video, Houston is pretty but dull, and the dynamo Bassett has been better elsewhere.
When Robin asks, 'Don't we hear this on Sally and Oprah every day?' you may be inclined to agree.
This sister-celebratory adaptation of Terry McMillan's best-selling book is frequently delightful.
You want the movie to stomp and rejoice and cry like a fool; instead it meanders and lollygags, occasionally flaring up, then sputtering again.
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