Waiting to Exhale

Name: Waiting to Exhale
Duration: 2 h 4 min

2hr 4m

2hr 4m
3.4/5 (9.8K)
89%

Follows four very different African-American women and their relationships with men. More Details »

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Trailer 1 (02:37)

Movie Info & Cast

Director:

Forest Whitaker

Producer:

Deborah Schindler, Ezra Swerdlow

Writer:

Terry McMillan, Ron Bass

Release Date:

Dec 22, 1995

Runtime:

2hr 4m

Synopsis

Follows four very different African-American women and their relationships with men.

Cast

Angela Bassett
Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Lela Rochon
Angela Bassett
Loretta Devine
Loretta Devine
Gregory Hines
Lela Rochon
Gregory Hines
Dennis Haysbert
Mykelti Williamson
Michael Beach
Leon
Wendell Pierce

Letterboxd User Reviews

3.4

RATINGS 454 FANS

3.4

Mar 8, 2020

Angela Basset walking away after setting a car on fire is the highlight of this film.

1.2K Likes

Jennifer

Apr 28, 2020

every time i watch waiting to exhale i google “did angela basset win an oscar for waiting to exhale” and the answer is still no and i will never forgive the “””””academy””””” for that

990 Likes

brittany

May 12, 2021

The ultimate MEN ARE TRASH movie

823 Likes

Becca
Feb 26, 2023

angela bassett did the mf thing ikdr

659 Likes

clem

May 22, 2020

i literally love being a black woman so much.

471 Likes

megan

May 16, 2019

Also saw this for BAM's "Black 90s: A Turning Point in American Cinema"! THIS WAS TRULY THE MOST AMAZING EXPERIENCE AT A THEATER IN MY ENTIRE LIFE! African American women of all ages all there to see this film. The audience was quoting the best lines.…

464 Likes

Benjamin
May 24, 2022

Angela Basset had no business looking this good while burning a car.

461 Likes

Raniaaa✨☕🌊

Mar 16, 2025

this is the avengers for middle-aged black women

430 Likes

theo

Mar 10, 2021

The structure does a disservice to these brilliant performances. Angela Bassett's rage is searing and legendary, and yet the film feels scattered and incomplete. On that note, I can't get certain details out of my head. The desert landscape, Whitney talking about music,…

396 Likes

Scumbalina

See All Reviews on Letterboxd.com

Queue Community Reviews

89%

Community 1,924

❤️ LOVE

29%

👍 LIKE

60%

😐 MEH

👎 DISLIKE

Top Reviews

liv burrage liked

Waiting to Exhale

one of my favorite Angela Bassett roles. She’s such an icon and prob had one of the most valid crashouts I’ve seen bc who needs a MAN👏🏾

🔥 1 1Y

Ayanna liked

Waiting to Exhale

It is definitely worth the watch for the icon scene with Angela Bassett. “He’s a good man Savannah” no he’s not :/

😭 1 1Y

Diana Seoketsi liked

Waiting to Exhale

Idk maybe it's because I love blackfilms and this all starcast was just lovely. 😊

🔥 1 2Y
Shiesty is "meh" on

Waiting to Exhale

Angela basset made this film bearable up until I couldn’t take it anymore. I understand the cultural significance of the film but it’s a boring plot in 2025. It’s supposed to highlight sisterhood but I think it focused too much on the grimy men. I wish it had more tender moments.

9M

Amya B loved

Waiting to Exhale

PHENOMENAL MOVIE. The casting of the four talented, beautiful Black women they chose was genuinely perfect. Everyone had scene stealing moments. This movie is beautiful and cathartic. Did I mention the flawless soundtrack? Not only is it great but songs from it are CLASSICS now.

5M

Olivia loved

Waiting to Exhale

Absolutely loved this film! It’s been on pinned for a while and finally got an opportunity to watch it. Just beautiful. It gives major tyler Perry feels. But what an amzing set of actors in situations that are relevant today even tho it’s from 1995. One for the culture this

1Y
grace loved

Waiting to Exhale

“he’s a good man savannah” NOOOO literally one man and one teenager are like seemingly the only good men in this movie, so glad they didn’t all have happy love stories. good riddance to men and the pain and headaches they bring- period !! all you need is you & your girls!

5M

desirae loved

Waiting to Exhale

Finally watched the iconic movie. Chile it was stressful, but the way it centered around black womanhood + sisterhood was phenomenal. Breaking generational mindsets for sure. The OST is also incredible. Everyone looked GOOD.

1Y

Diara Springer is "meh" on

Waiting to Exhale

5/10: I really wanted to like this but unfortunately I don’t. The plot lines are a mess and don’t make any sense. Only thing that saved this movie is the fact that the cast are fantastic actresses.

8M