Waiting to Regret – I Mean, Exhale!

Waiting to Regret – I Mean, Exhale!

Alright, my dear Dreamers, gather around. Let me tell you about a movie that I thought was going to change my life. A movie that I waited my entire existence to watch, despite the fact that it was released when I wasn’t even a concept in my parents’ minds. A movie that I illegally got my hands on (don’t judge me, the hype was real), and when I finally watched it... Oh. My. Goodness.

Regret. Pure, unfiltered regret.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am talking about Waiting to Exhale—the so-called classic that was supposed to be the movie for Black women. The film that had the audacity to be born on this day, and I still have the nerve to be discussing it instead of pretending it never happened. But here we are.

First Things First—Let’s Talk Facts

For those of you who have better things to do than waste two hours of your life, let me give you a quick rundown: Waiting to Exhale is a 1995 film based on the novel by Terry McMillan, directed by Forest Whitaker (yes, that Forest Whitaker). It stars four stunning Black women—Whitney Houston (the queen herself), Angela Bassett (a powerhouse), Loretta Devine (forever playing the sweet, motherly role), and Lela Rochon (the gorgeous light-skinned one who had me asking, "Where have I seen her before?" Oh yeah, Girlfriends!).

The movie follows these four women as they navigate love, heartbreak, and friendship, all while dealing with the disaster that is their dating lives. Sounds promising, right? WRONG!

Now, Let’s Talk TRUTH

Listen, when I say I was ready to exhale my soul out of my body while watching this, I mean it. First of all, what was even the point of this movie? What was the message? What was I supposed to learn?

Because all I saw was this:

Black women being degraded left, right, and center.

Sex being treated like a casual handshake. Like, “Hi, I’m Sandra, nice to meet you.” Boom, they’re already in bed, and then they start introducing themselves. What in the Netflix & Chill nonsense is this?!

Men being absolute disasters, and the movie acting like it’s just part of life. Like, “Oh well, sis, men ain’t ish, but at least you got your girls.” No, I need solutions! Not sisterhood trauma bonding!

The interracial relationship drama. Why is it always the same storyline? Black man leaves Black woman for a white woman, and the Black woman loses her mind. I mean, sis was furious! I get that heartbreak is real, but must we always turn it into a racial war?

And don’t get me started on the agenda this movie pushed—because yes, there was an agenda.

The Biggest Problem – Normalizing Foolery

Y’all, I have never seen a movie so obsessed with making reckless decisions look normal. The way these women were just hopping into bed with men they barely knew? The way they acted like it was fine to have multiple partners without any emotional accountability? The way they made it seem like you could just sleep your way into love? Make it make sense!

And guess what? They never actually won in the end! No character arc, no growth, no redemption—just more heartbreak and tears. So what exactly was the lesson here? “Go out, make bad decisions, and suffer”? Because if that’s the case, I could’ve just watched reality TV.

The One Thing That Saved This Movie… THE MUSIC!

Now, if there is one reason not to completely erase this film from my memory, it’s the soundtrack. Oh, my goodness! Whitney Houston, Babyface, Brandy, Mary J. Blige—legends! If the entire movie was just Whitney Houston singing all the songs, I would’ve called it a masterpiece.

But nooo, she had to act, and let’s just say… her voice carried the movie more than her performance. Sorry, but facts are facts.

Final Verdict – Is It Worth Watching?

If you’re watching for the comedy of it all, yes. If you’re watching for life lessons, absolutely not. Waiting to Exhale was just two hours of watching beautiful Black women make terrible life choices while blaming men instead of choosing better men. No accountability, no growth, no resolution—just vibes and soundtracks.

And that, my Dreamers, is why I wish I could inhale back the time I wasted.

Until next time,

The girl behind The Dreamer’s Pause ⏸️

 For those seeking concrete references to back up my reflections on Waiting to Exhale, here are some reputable sources:

1. Roger Ebert's Review: The esteemed critic offered insights into the film's portrayal of Black women's desires and the challenges they face. 

2. Rotten Tomatoes Audience Reviews: Viewers have shared their thoughts on the film's themes and character dynamics. 

3. IMDb User Reviews: A collection of audience opinions highlighting both praise and criticism of the movie. 

4. Wikipedia – Soundtrack: An overview of the film's acclaimed soundtrack, featuring contributions from prominent artists. 

5. Spotify – Soundtrack: Stream the full soundtrack, showcasing the musical talents that accompanied the film. 

These sources provide additional perspectives and information on the film's narrative, reception, and musical achievements.