Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- cathartic
- girls night
- relationship drama night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film appealing for its underrepresented perspective and female ensemble while faulting its uneven acting and sporadically interesting, uneven story.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Savannah, Bernadine, Gloria, and Robin receive interwoven storylines linked by their friendship and contrasting experiences with men, careers, and family.
The four women repeatedly rely on one another as romantic and domestic upheavals disrupt their lives.
The plot explicitly centers African-American women navigating difficult relationships, marriage expectations, and independent adulthood.
The film combines major life problems with an escapist presentation of stylish contemporary women, desirable lifestyles, and romantic possibilities.
Films like Waiting to Exhale, and why
Sex and the City
female friendship, romantic disappointments, and urban ensemble storytelling centered on women
The First Wives Club
women’s friendship, romantic conflict, and emotionally accessible ensemble comedy-drama
How Stella Got Her Groove Back
african american female friendship, relationship struggles, and warm dramatic humor
Something New
relationship-focused ensemble comedy-drama with a strong female perspective and bittersweet romance
Movie Details
- Director
- Forest Whitaker
- Release Date
- 1995-12-22
- Runtime
- 127 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (214)
Cast
- Whitney Houston
- Angela Bassett
- Loretta Devine
- Lela Rochon
- Gregory Hines
- Dennis Haysbert
- Mykelti Williamson
- Michael Beach
- Leon
- Wendell Pierce
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Starz Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Waiting to Exhale about?
- Four African-American friends lean on one another while navigating betrayal, divorce, single motherhood, and the search for fulfilling love.
- What is Waiting to Exhale like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Waiting to Exhale as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Waiting to Exhale violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Waiting to Exhale.
- What did critics think of Waiting to Exhale?
- Critics broadly found the film appealing for its underrepresented perspective and female ensemble while faulting its uneven acting and sporadically interesting, uneven story.
- Which films are like Waiting to Exhale?
- Films with a similar feel include Sex and the City, The First Wives Club, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and Something New.
- How long is Waiting to Exhale?
- Waiting to Exhale runs 127 minutes.
- Where can I watch Waiting to Exhale?
- In United States, Waiting to Exhale streams on Starz Apple TV channel.
