With one possible exception, none of its women is at all likable.
Waiting to Exhale (1995)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:24
Fresh:13
Rotten:11
Average Rating:5.6/10
Runtime: 2 hrs 15 mins
Genre: Dramas
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
Get This Movie
Reviews for Waiting to Exhale
With the exception of Bernadine, I never felt anything for the women populating this film, as they failed to capture my interest or sympathy.
Whitney Houston's alleged dramatic acting and dull, uninvolving storyline weighs down the virtues of the film.
An escapist fantasy that women in the audience can enjoy by musing, 'I wish I had her problems' - and her car, house, wardrobe, figure and men, even wrong men.
You want the movie to stomp and rejoice and cry like a fool; instead it meanders and lollygags, occasionally flaring up, then sputtering again.
When Robin asks, 'Don't we hear this on Sally and Oprah every day?' you may be inclined to agree.
There are some humorous observations, irrefutable truths and good performances that make this movie worthwhile to those in a man-bashing mindframe.
It is a two-hour music video, Houston is pretty but dull, and the dynamo Bassett has been better elsewhere.
Never escapes the queasy aura of Melrose Place: just another story about beautiful people with small problems.
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.
Is there a woman alive who hasn't demanded an explanation from the Almighty about the losers that she keeps getting?
For all the pleasure there is in seeing effective, great-looking black women grappling with major life issues on screen, Waiting to Exhale is an uneven piece.
This sister-celebratory adaptation of Terry McMillan's best-selling book is frequently delightful.
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.
The male-bashing taken to an extreme in Waiting to Exhale is starting to seem a little like crack for the female psyche, exhilarating in the short term but ultimately crippling and dangerous.
Four main female characters trudging through a movie's worth of similar repeated blunders adds up to one scary truckload of drama.
Overall, the film never quite hints at answers or even much comprehension of the problems, but it should fit the bill for those looking for empathic communion, or those simply wanting to bash men.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 66% 66% | Public Enemies |
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 78% 78% | The Hangover |
| 49% 49% | Taking Woodstock |
| 26% 26% | The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard |
| 47% 47% | The Girl From Monaco |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- Waiting to Exhale at Rotten Tomatoes
- Waiting to Exhale at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

Take a look at MSN's choices for the Top 10 films of 2009.

What were your favorites? Least favorites? The funniest and scariest? Moviefone wants to know!

Hollywood.com explores why QT's characters resonate so well with audiences.

TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



