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Waiting to Exhale

Sometimes certain movies push the subject matter a little further than others in order to reach a hidden target audience. They also tend to garner more attention by tapping those deep issues in everyone.

This is a story about women. Women battling their inner demons. Women who battle for success, acceptance, understanding. Women who are friends, and who become even better friends by being able to let their guards down and commit to letting themselves feel free and important for the first time. But those steps taken were not easy ones.

This movie's true baseline is about four woman who choose the wrong men and are not happy about it. They each want to find the "ideal" man for whom they are searching, and at times, their frustrations are directed to "all the men in the world" who have failed them. There are critical parts and heartbreaking moments that will shed a bright, revealing light on these women's personalities, so much so you might even reflect on your own experiences with a connection to one or more of these women. But if anything, you'll be able agree that friendship creates a support system (or sister support as strong friendships melt into) and that is a powerful feeling.

You'll meet four diverse women who, as sure as they know the sun will rise in the morning and set at night, have a heck of a time being sure about their men and where they're going in their lives. Wanting to find love is color free and so is the pain of a broken and misguided heart. The predominantly African American cast provides the perfect blend of passion and longing for something better. I have read some reviews about this movie getting mixed reactions, mostly about it slamming men and their faults. I'm not saying the women depicted in the film made no mistakes or that they're completely innocent, but they are coming to terms with their lifestyle and how it affects their futures.

One woman in particular, Bernadine (Angela Bassett), thought she'd be married for life until her husband of 11 years with whom she gave birth to their two children and his successful company, confessed he'd be leaving her for another woman. OK, stuff like that happens, we hate it when it does and wish that it didn't. Keep following though... you'll like the result!

After the shock wore off, Bernadine's adrenaline was on high power. She was more than just feeling scorned as her anger turned to outrage and she turned up the heat...Literally! The struggles these ladies, such as Bernadine, go through include trust, moral issues, and confidence in ending toxic relationships in order to heal and grow. The other women have different situations, but with the core problem: a man wasn't what he claimed to be and they weren't going to settle anymore.

Meet Savannah (Whitney Houston), a strong energetic career woman... who is in love. Sounds great, so what could be wrong? Yep, the second installment of the same old story of a man who is in love with his mistress, but will be leaving his wife soon...really, he is! Gloria (Loretta Devine) feels the cold chill of love. Not only has it been 10 years since she has had a serious relationship of any kind, but the man who fathered her child (althought he's only seen a few times) has confessed he's gay and her son who has been her lifeline is planing to travel to Europe. Rounding out the four corners of sisterhood is Robin (Lela Rochon). Flirty, bold, successful, uninhibited, sexually frustrated at times, but not afraid to give pointers to the casual encounters of men in her life. Yes, she plays it safe -- smart girl!

So what's wrong there, you ask? Again, another situation with a married man and this one has a lasting effect. Forest Whitaker's directorial film debut enabled him to gather a wonderfully juicy and taboo subject with which to work. This is important considering that the nature of the film revolves around women and their issues with men. It shows right there that just because this is a movie about women and their issues, it does not mean a man cannot tell this story or not have it show the dynamics of the men in this movie through the eyes of the female characters.

Ultimately it's about showing your true feelings and being happy with who you are. Finding a wonderful man is what all these ladies would want to have in their lives; they just have to learn how to balance what is in their life right now and, when ready, open themselves to finding that special man who will treat them as an equal and a soul mate. For that to happen, they will have to discoverer themselves first. Any fan of Whitney Houston or other soulful sounds that grace your CD player, you'll be happy with the soundtrack. Definitely worth a second listen! This is a salute to woman. Don't be afraid to take chances, learn by your mistakes, keep believing in real love, and be proud of your world and the friendships that surround you. And now, you can exhale!

Written by: Lynda Dale MacLean

Reviewers Rating: 8
Reader's Rating: 9.08
Reader's Votes: 12

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