'Waiting to Exhale' is a breath of fresh air

Date: December 22, 1995
By Jeff Strickler, Staff Writer

From Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN)
Submitted by: Larry A.


Cleverly written books invariably seem to turn into disappointing movies. The enjoyment that comes from carefully crafted prose doesn't often translate well to the dialogue-driven format of a screenplay.

"Waiting to Exhale" is the exception that proves the rule. Adapted by Terry McMillan from her own novel, with help from Ronald Bass (who teamed with Barry Morrow to win an Oscar for "Rain Man"), this lively adaptation deftly captures the spirit of its source material.

Working with Forest Whitaker, who is directing his first feature film after cutting his teeth on a made-for-TV movie, the writers were able to salvage many of McMillan's clever turns of phrase without derailing the movie's action. This feat was accomplished by letting viewers read the minds of the characters, who often are thinking smart-alecky even when they are talking polite.

The title comes from McMillan's admonition that women not hold their breath waiting for their lives to be validated by men. Yes, that qualifies this as a so-called chick flick, and it plays that way for the first hour. Then some interesting men turn up, too.

The story concerns four friends: Savannah (Whitney Houston), Bernadine (Angela Bassett, an Oscar nominee for "What's Love Got to With It"), Robin (Lela Rochon of "Boomerang") and Gloria (Loretta Devine of "Amos and Andrew").

They're all successful. One has a net worth of nearly $2 million. Another lives in a small estate that includes a guest house and a swimming pool about the size of Lake Calhoun. Nonetheless, they feel like losers because that's the caliber of men they attract.

The four stars create personable characters. Whitaker does a nice job of keeping the narrative moving; it never turns into an extended version of a day-time talk show: "Next on 'Oprah,' winners who attract losers as lovers."

The first half of the film indulges in gratuitous male-bashing, and men accompanying their significant others to the show may feel sucker-punched. Hang in there, guys: Eventually some decent males turn up, among them Gregory Hines as the prototypical sensitive guy of the '90s.

Ultimately, this is a story about respect, especially about respecting yourself. And "Waiting to Exhale" is as respectful an adaptation of a book as could have been produced on film.