Movie Review: Waiting-Really Waiting-To Exhale
Read more articles on Movies, visual media.July 29, 2008
Posted by Karen Amato Schwartz
July 29, 2008
Posted by Karen Amato Schwartz
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It’s my opinion that I’ve probably waited to see Waiting to Exhale longer than anyone.
Did I think it was worth it? Oh, yes.
Made in 1995, the message it sends has not any significance over the last 13 years. It’s that kind of movie. It looked like it could have been made this year, thanks to classic sets, clothing, and hairstyles in terms of adult tastes. But more so than the timeliness of the trappings was the timelessness of the movie’s focus: the never ending problems women face in finding romance.
Let me just tell you this before I get into the actual details: I’m not a fan of such-what I consider-soap opera drivel. However, although this sounds strange, the title of this movie always intrigued me. However, since I thought I knew the topic, and knowing it probably wouldn’t be my cup of tea, I never bothered watching it. Today, looking for something to make my ironing go more quickly, I spun through available movies and just happened upon it, missing only the first few minutes. Now, looking back, had the movie not been so…let’s just say “earthy”…it may have morphed into typical fare. With a good deal of profanity, some explicit phrasing about bodies, and simulated sex, it deserves its R rating. But what I think made it hit home was the continuous first person narratives to themselves of the main characters as they were dealing with others. At times it’s rather humorous, being based on common frustrations we may never dare speak.
Although the story of four 30-something African American gals looking for love, this is the stuff to which women of every culture can relate, although most of us aren’t lucky enough to look like them or have their jobs and wardrobes. Therefore, if it wasn’t for the superb acting, this movie would have been no different from others whose names we’ve all forgotten.
Whitney Houston is a successful TV producer whose long-term lover procrastinates divorcing his wife; yet, because he’s a “good man”, her mother nags her to hold onto him. Lela Rochon is a high-level executive, but has a history of men who dump her at the worst times; she is now involved with drug addict who steals from her. Loretta Devine’s ex-husband left her 15 years ago, and being a single parent, she’s lived life through her son. But the most mesmerizing story was that of the character played by Angela Basset, whose millionaire husband left her and their kids for his white secretary. The depth of Ms. Basset’s frustration, desperation and anger made me a fan of hers for life. She alone is reason to watch this movie.
As you may have guessed, this movie doesn’t teach anything new. Girls will still fall for the wrong guys and bad guys, users and losers. It also isn’t for everyone. Men may not like it as much as women because they may not see the problems in the same way, and the film even seems too raw for teens in terms of the disregard men give women, and the frequency with which women accept it. Actually, in my opinion, this is a movie that older adults will probably appreciate more than those in their 20’s. This is not to say that the goals of the leading ladies are too idealistic, but life is complex. When Ms. Basset meets a new guy with a wife dying of cancer, for a full ten minutes of screen time, we view him with the same uncertainty, distrust and confusion as she does. Is he another one telling a lie? Why does he want to spend the night with her instead of returning to this woman who hasn’t got long to live, if he loves his wife as he says he does? All things considered-will any of this make any difference to Ms. Basset, who still searches for happiness?
This movie will make most of us reconsider what we’ll accept-and what we won’t -in our own search for that same happiness.
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