He’s a Good Man, Savannah. But Is He Though?
Whenever I am doom-scrolling on Instagram, I see the Waiting To Exhale meme of Savannah’s mom saying “He’s a good man Savannah” and I wonder why women would use this meme to describe their significant others. Did we watch the same movie? There is no way that folks are referring to Kenneth, the man Savannah was having an affair with, as a “good” man. Personally, I would not use the meme to describe my significant other but to each woman her own. I decided to rewatch the movie for myself to see if Kenneth was really a good man or if Kenneth was lowkey terrible. These observations are based on the movie only, not the book. The book was on my TBR but I removed it because I cannot get into Terry McMillan books.
We are introduced to Savannah (played by the icon Whitney Houston) via voiceover as she’s lamenting about how she does not believe in New Year resolutions, how the men in Denver were duds and that it should be better in Phoenix, and how God did not answer her prayer for a compassionate, decent man with integrity. As Brandy sings about sitting up in her room, Savannah arrives for her blind date at a New Year’s Eve party. Her blind date, Lionel, introduced himself and asked her to dance while her inner monologue was about Lionel being the one. *Charles Murphy voice* WRONG! Lionel’s other date/friend, Denise (played by Kenya Moore) interrupted their slow dance to inform him that he did not dance with her all night. Savannah left to go watch Dick Clark on TV.
[Time skip] Savannah gave Lionel another chance, only for him to be raggedy and get on her last nerve during the two months that they were seeing each other. Not only did this man use her toothbrush and not bring back her change, but he was growling during his fifteen pumps of sex. I, too, would be questioning my life choices after experiencing growling pumps. [Time skip] Savannah took a pay cut to see if she could produce television and start anew in Phoenix, but her meddling momma gave Kenneth, her lover from Denver, her new landline phone number. Was Savannah even thinking about Kenneth before he called her? Did Savannah date anyone else once she stopped dealing with Lionel? Questions that need answers. Kenneth left a message on her answering service stating that he will be in Phoenix for a conference. A few days later, Kenneth (played by San Mateo’s very own Dennis Haysbert) showed up at Savannah’s house for them to take a walk in a shopping center promenade. Kenneth expressed that he was in love with a woman who was too nice to hurt his feelings. Savannah should have hurt his [expletive] feelings. Then followed up by explaining how he married his wife because she was five months pregnant and Savannah is the only woman he ever loved. Okay, I cannot discount Kenneth’s feelings towards Savannah, but it does not negate the fact that he was still married to his daughter’s mother while falling in love with Savannah. From the promenade conversation, it sounded like Kenneth wanted to reignite their love affair like the one they had in Denver.
[Time skip] At Gloria’s birthday party, Savannah admitted that she is in love with a man who is married and has a child and that she is not a twenty-four-year-old who could wait around for “her man”. [Time skip] Savannah and Kenneth continued their affair whenever he traveled down to Phoenix. One sleepless night, Savannah called her mom to talk. Her mom mentioned that Kenneth called her and during their conversation, he said he was getting a divorce. Mind you, he has YET to file any paperwork. Savannah told her mom that she did not trust Kenneth. Mom ignored her and told her to call Kenneth. Savannah was more concerned with her mother not calling her for help than Kenneth’s alleged divorce. Yes, sis, keep that same energy. In her heart of heart, Savannah knew that Kenneth is full of Sugar Honey Iced Tea. The next morning, Kenneth is on the phone with his wife telling her that he is closing on a deal that will require him to keep traveling back and forth to Phoenix. Savannah seemed to confirm the doubts she felt in her spirit as she was ear-hustling Kenneth’s conversation. Go with your spirit, my good sis. [Time skip] Savannah’s thoughts were oscillating between her feelings for Kenneth and the probability of him leaving his wife after Robin shared her “I’m pregnant by a married man” story.
[Time skip] Kenneth is visiting again. He joined Savannah at a poolside table for drinks and started giving Savannah unnecessary details about his conversation with his wife. Really, he was demeaning his wife in the process of telling Savannah that he is preparing to leave her. Savannah was just nodding her head and giving him “mmhmm” and “oh” in response. Then boom, she admitted that she was not at risk of Kenneth divorcing his wife to be with her. Even if he did leave his wife, he would probably abandon her like he’s doing with his wife and child. Yes, she was an asshole for having an affair with him, but she redeemed herself a bit with the nice nasty read she delivered. Kenneth sat there flabbergasted that Savannah would have the audacity to end their affair. Like most gaslighters would.
Savannah’s mom called to fuss about Kenneth and his alleged emotional breakdown. Savannah snapped at her, reminding her that she was a successful 33-year-old woman who does not need to be with a married man. Savannah’s mom said the infamous line, “He’s a good man, Savannah. A GOOD man.” People tend to forget the rest of the quote. “...He’s in a bad situation right now and he’s trying to get out of it.” Ma’am what?! Not his wife and daughter being a bad situation. Savannah’s mother is within that age group that needed to be married to a man to survive. However, marriage was not always beneficial to Black women in the Silent Generation-Early Baby Boomer age bracket. Grandpa may have had a second family around the corner, but Grandma’s name was on the life insurance policy payout when he mysteriously died. Women in that era would turn a blind eye to infidelity just to say that they have a man who provides…barely. I don’t agree with Savannah snapping at her mom, but I do understand where she was coming from. Despite Savannah’s career success, her mother was meddling and advocating for an unfaithful man because she did not Savannah to end up being like her, alone without a man. To Savannah’s mom (and aunties who think like her), Kenneth IS a good man because he’s a provider and has a respectable career. To me, Kenneth was lowkey manipulative and sold wolf tickets to his wife, Savannah’s mom, and Savannah. He was creating a web of lies to get what he wanted from the women in his life. It did not seem like Kenneth was going to divorce his wife or destroy his family life in Denver. He was satisfied with having Savannah as his lover in Phoenix. He had the full 100% in his world (reference Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married?) There is a character flaw in any man who is in a monogamous relationship with his partner (girlfriend or wife) who has an affair (emotionally or sexually) with another person. His moral compass needs to be recalibrated. He needs to go lay on that lady’s couch and get to the root of why he’s a liar and cheater. Oh, Savannah is not flawless either. Savannah was a willing participant in continuing her love affair with Kenneth, but she eventually came around to herself. She, too, needs to go lay on that lady’s couch and unpack her issues. Savannah’s and Robin’s stories are tied for the B storyline in Waiting To Exhale. A compare and contrast between two women dealing with married men and their desperation to be in love and married.
So basically, I stand by my initial thought that Kenneth was not a good man, Savannah.
SIDE BAR OBS
Bernadine
Is Michael Beach being typecasted because he constantly plays the trifling husband?
Angela Basset DELIVERT that improvised scene of Bernie ripping down John’s clothes and dragging them to the car.
“This is a good neighborhood.” Your point? Get your microaggression up outta here, fireman. Let Bernadine barbecue in peace.
John initially gave her house, then turned around and sold it because his business is not doing well. He’s lucky that Bernie just slapped his mistress.
Brandon Hammond went from playing John Jr. to Ahmad in Soul Food two years later and Michael Beach was the trifling husband in both.
John was lowkey financially abusive towards Bernadine.
Robin
Did Robin ever LIKE Michael? Her inner monologue about him was 🥴
Robin’s bed is teensy. The set designer tried it with a full-size bed.
Michael and Robin sex scene is hilarious. V-8 anyone?
Robin does not have discernment at all.
Robin did not know about Troy’s 13-year-old son or his white line problem. ”You raggedy b*tch. You better be careful with who you pick up in the grocery store.” 🍊🍊
Gloria
Giancarlo Esposito…enough said. 😏
I don’t know what’s worse, Gloria outing David or Tarik using a slur in response.
Gloria was the only one who did not have an affair with a married man.
Gregory Hines…enough said. 😏 RIP
Why do Gloria’s leftovers sound like Thanksgiving in the summertime?
Gloria was the voice of reason friend.
General
Seeing folks smoke inside a restaurant or at a bar in late 90s movies is still wild to me. 🤣
The soundtrack is STILL the best part of this movie.
Until next time… *besos* LA
