Waiting to Exhale (1995)

Angela Bassett: Bernadine

Photos 

Quotes 

• Bernadine Harris : I give you 11 fucking years of my life and you're telling me you're leaving me for a white woman?

  John Harris, Sr. : Would it help if she was black?

  Bernadine Harris : No. It would help if you were black.

• Fireman : Ma'am, were you aware that your car was on fire?

  [Bernadine nods her head while smoking a cigarette] 

  Fireman : Ma'am, did you start this fire?

  [she puffs smoke and plainly looks at him] 

  Fireman : You know, it's against the law to burn anything except trash in your yard.

  Bernadine Harris : [flicks off ashes from her cigarette]  It is trash.

  Fireman : Look, this is a nice area. Luckily, a neighbor cared enough. Listen, the next time you want to burn something...

  Bernadine Harris : It won't happen again.

  [she shuts the door in his face] 

• Bernadine Harris : The worst thing is that he made me move out here where my children are in school with only one other black kid so they won't be improperly influenced. Well, guess what John, YOU'RE the motherfuckin' improper influence! Get your shit! Get your shit! And, get out!

• Bernadine Harris : [Arguing about money at John's office]  Who do you think started this damn company, huh? And now, you think you can just take the money and run...

  John Harris, Sr. : Business hasn't been good for years, but don't you worry, you'll get what's coming to you.

  Bernadine Harris : Hell, I'm not worried... you, on the other hand, should be.

  John Harris, Sr. : I am prepared to offer you $300,000 cash, *today*.

  Bernadine Harris : Your children aren't for sale.

  [walks away] 

  John Harris, Sr. : Oh by the way, I'm coming to pick up my kids on Saturday.

  Bernadine Harris : Yeah?

  [Walks back toward John] 

  Bernadine Harris : And if I hear you had 'em anywhere near that tramp *bitch*, you're gonna regret it for the rest of your life!

• John Harris, Sr. : [Bernardine barges into a board meeting at John's office after learning her bank accounts were frozen]  Bernardine, I'm in a meeting here! If you need something, I suggest you...

  Bernadine Harris : [to Kathleen standing near John]  Would you mind terribly if I had a few words with my husband?

  [Kathleen opens her mouth in protest, and Bernardine slaps her, sending her spinning to the floor] 

  John Harris, Sr. : What the hell are you doing?

  Bernadine Harris : [fighting tears]  I've been to the bank. THANK YOU! Thank you for thinking about your children!

  John Harris, Sr. : [turning to the seated board members]  Everybody out!

  Bernadine Harris : Yes, out. OUT!

  John Harris, Sr. : You do not come into MY office and start throwing some tantrum because you can't finish what you started!

  Bernadine Harris : What am I supposed to do for money!

  John Harris, Sr. : I gave you the house... now sell it.

  Bernadine Harris : [crying]  I HATE YOU!

  John Harris, Sr. : I'm really sorry to hear that, Bernardine. But I'm not playing games with you anymore!

  Bernadine Harris : Who do you think started this damn company, huh?

  John Harris, Sr. : Let's not start THAT again, all right?

  Bernadine Harris : And now you think you can just take the money and run?

  John Harris, Sr. : Business hasn't been good for years, but don't you worry about it. You'll get what's coming to you.

  Bernadine Harris : Hell, I'm NOT worried... you on the other hand, should be.

  John Harris, Sr. : OK, look. Let's not let this... thing... get any uglier than it already has.