Trend Everywhere on Instagram: "Waiting to Exhale (1995) Overview Waiting to Exhale is a romantic drama film directed by Forest Whitaker, based on Terry McMillan’s bestselling 1992 novel. It explores the lives, loves, and struggles of four African-American women as they support each other through heartbreak, betrayal, and personal growth. Known for its honesty, humor, and soulful soundtrack, the movie became a cultural landmark in the ’90s. Plot Set in Phoenix, Arizona, the story follows four cl