
Actor Forest Whitaker made his directorial debut with the 1995 romance film Waiting to Exhale. The screenplay was written by Terry McMillan and Ronald Bass; it is based on the book of the same name by Terry McMillan. The film stars Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, and Lela Rochon. The movie is noteworthy because of the all-black cast. Other members of the cast include, Gregory Hines, Dennis Haysbert, Mykelti Willaimson, Michae Beach, Leon, Wendell Pierce, Donald Faison, Jeffrey D. Sams, and Jazz Raycole. The Los Angeles Times called the success of the movie a “social phenomenon.” Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds provided the music.