Waiting to Exhale Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Four best friends in Phoenix realize men are trash and sometimes light cars on fire, but also find happiness in unexpected places (like Gregory Hines’ arms).

🍿 Waiting to Exhale: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Four Friends

The movie introduces four African-American women living in Phoenix, Arizona: Savannah, Bernadine, Gloria, and Robin. Each woman is dealing with personal challenges related to their careers, families, and, most significantly, their relationships with men. The film establishes their close friendship and support system as a central theme.

Bernadine’s Devastating Divorce

Bernadine’s life is shattered when her husband, John, announces he’s leaving her for a white woman. This sudden betrayal after years of marriage and dedication to their family sends Bernadine into a spiral of anger and despair. She famously burns his belongings in a cathartic act of defiance.

Savannah’s Unfulfilling Love Life

Savannah, a successful television executive, struggles to find a fulfilling relationship. She is involved with a married man, Kenneth, hoping he will leave his wife. However, she eventually realizes this relationship is not sustainable and seeks a more meaningful connection.

Gloria Finds Unexpected Romance

Gloria, a single mother and salon owner, has been hurt in the past and is hesitant to open her heart again. She forms a connection with her charming new neighbor, Marvin, who appreciates her for who she is. Their relationship blossoms into a genuine and loving partnership.

Robin’s Chaotic Relationships

Robin’s storyline is marked by a series of bad choices in men. She dates unreliable and often irresponsible partners, leading to emotional turmoil and instability. She struggles to find a man who can offer her the love and security she desires.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Savannah (Whitney Houston): A successful television executive, Savannah struggles with her desire for a fulfilling relationship and her tendency to become involved with unavailable men.
• Bernadine (Angela Bassett): Bernadine is a devoted wife and mother who is devastated when her husband leaves her for a younger, white woman.
• Gloria (Loretta Devine): Gloria, a warm-hearted salon owner, searches for love while raising her teenage son and overcoming insecurities about her weight.
• Robin (Lela Rochon): Robin is a beautiful but unlucky-in-love woman who makes a series of poor choices in her pursuit of a stable relationship.
• Kenneth (Dennis Haysbert): Kenneth is a married man with whom Savannah has an affair, representing a pattern of her attraction to unavailable partners.
• Marvin (Gregory Hines): Marvin, Gloria’s neighbor, is a kind and genuine man who offers her a chance at a healthy and fulfilling relationship.
• John, Sr. (Michael Beach): John is Bernadine’s husband who abruptly ends their marriage to be with another woman, causing her immense pain and anger.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Bernadine: “I give you 11 fucking years of my life and you’re telling me you’re leaving me for a white woman?” – Bernadine’s raw and unfiltered reaction to her husband leaving her encapsulates her shock and betrayal.
• Bernadine: “Would it help if she was black?” – Bernadine’s sarcastic response to her husband highlights the added sting of him leaving her for someone else.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $16,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $67,052,156
• Worldwide Gross: $81,452,156

💥 Waiting to Exhale Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing this movie with my mom and her friends, and the energy in the room was electric! Angela Bassett’s performance was unforgettable; that car scene was cathartic. It was refreshing to see black women portrayed with such complexity and vulnerability on the big screen. Although, I cringed at Whitney Houston’s acting, overall the movie really highlights black female friendships.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Terry McMillan’s novels”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about female friendship”
  • “Those who enjoy relationship dramas”
  • “People interested in films with strong African-American female leads”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Infidelity and marital issues”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief depictions of sexual content”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “While a bit soapy, ‘Waiting to Exhale’ deserves respect for being a positive film for black women. The plot is pure soap opera, but it’s still involving. Angela Bassett is powerful and steals every scene. Houston is a poor actress. Criticisms also extend to the constant man caricatures which spoil it.
• IMDb: “A glossy but one-sided look at the relationship between four strong black women and the various men in their lives. The film is one-sided because the screenplay presents most of the male characters as sexist, manipulative pigs without a redeeming characteristic in sight. Despite the men, the direction and outstanding performances keep the rather lopsided story watchable

Audience Reactions

Angela Bassett’s car-burning scene is iconic and cathartic.: The movie showcases the strength and importance of black female friendships.

Loretta Devine was awesome!: The soundtrack is incredible and features some of the best female R&B artists of the 90s.

Overall Consensus: A groundbreaking film for its time, celebrated for its focus on black female friendships and struggles, though criticized for stereotypical male portrayals and some uneven performances.

Awards

1. NAACP Image Award (Outstanding Motion Picture)- 1996
2. MTV Movie & TV Award (Best Kiss (shared with Gregory Hines))- 1996

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Angela Bassett’s powerful monologue during the car burning scene was entirely improvised, showcasing her incredible acting talent.”
• “The movie’s soundtrack, featuring artists like Whitney Houston, Babyface, and Toni Braxton, was a massive success and is considered a classic of 90s R&B.”
• “Forest Whitaker made his directorial debut with this film, proving his versatility as a filmmaker.”

🖥️ How to Watch Waiting to Exhale?

Waiting to Exhale is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check local listings for TV airings. You can also purchase the DVD or Blu-ray for physical ownership.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Waiting to Exhale, you might like these similar films:

• Soul Food (1997): Explores the bonds of family and the challenges faced by African-American women with a focus on food and tradition.
• The Best Man (1999): Features a predominantly black cast dealing with relationship dramas, career aspirations, and the complexities of modern life.
• Girlfriends’ Getaway (2014): Four friends take a vacation together to get over their man problems.

🛒 Waiting to Exhale Related Products

• Waiting to Exhale [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]: Relive the magic of the film with this iconic soundtrack featuring Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Mary J. Blige, and more. A must-have for any R&B fan.
• Terry McMillan Novels Collection: A signed limited edition of all Terry McMillan novels in the original English version is a collector’s item for fans of her work and African-American literature.
• Angela Bassett Signed Photo: A professionally printed and signed 8×10 photograph of Angela Bassett as Bernadine from ‘Waiting to Exhale’. Comes with a certificate of authenticity.
• Waiting to Exhale – The Novel by Terry McMillan (Paperback): Experience the full story and depth of Terry McMillan’s original novel, offering a richer understanding of the characters and their relationships.

🎧 Soundtrack

Waiting to Exhale features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” – performed by Whitney Houston
• “Let It Flow” – performed by Toni Braxton
• “Not Gon’ Cry” – performed by Mary J. Blige

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Quen Blackwell as Bernadine Getting Revenge | Waiting to Exhale

OMG, you HAVE to see this hilarious recreation of Bernadine’s iconic revenge scene! Quen Blackwell absolutely nails it, and it’s guaranteed to make you laugh!

Lela Rochon | Full Interview

Ever wondered what it was like working with Whitney Houston on ‘Waiting to Exhale’? Lela Rochon spills all the tea in this interview – it’s fascinating to hear her perspective!

Angela Bassett Talks About Waiting to Exhale & How Stella Got Her Groove Back | OWN Spotlight | OWN

Angela Bassett breaks down one of the most unforgettable scenes in ‘Waiting to Exhale’, she explains what this moment did for her! Her insights are so powerful!

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