Soul Food (1997) *

It's basically a soap opera, quite similar to "Waiting To Exhale", but far, far less feminist. In fact, it's quite fallocentric, though never seriously sexist. The story revolves around three sisters: one with a successful career, another with a successful marriage and a third one with a little of both. Then, their mother, a powerful matriarch (played by unforgettable Irma P.Hall) suffers a severe stroke and the family slowly begins to disintegrate. Notably absent is a strong patriarchal figure. That, the film seems to suggest, is the cause of all problems.