But What Men Want isn’t anti-men—Henson wants to make that very clear. "I don’t want to bash men," she says. "We don’t want to make this a male-bashing film. I love the men in my life. We want them to come see the movie and laugh and learn, as well."
And they will. The film does an excellent job at highlighting blind spots men often have when interacting with women, either professionally or personally. One great example is Ali’s father (Richard Roundtree), a widower, who admits in an emotional scene that raising her was difficult without his wife. "[He realizes], ‘Wow, maybe there are some places that I did fault, or maybe there are some things that I didn’t equip you with [because I’m not a woman],’” Henson says. “Him coming to that realization and being man enough to say it—that’s beautiful. That, to me, was one of the most beautiful scenes in the film.”
Another important scene is when a character played by Tracy Morgan tells Ali he doesn’t trust women who don’t have spouses or children. It’s yet another example of the disparity between women and men (who are often seen as cool bachelors when they’re single). Henson, however, thinks both genders experience the judgment her character faces.
“It’s that way with men too,” she says. “My fiancé [NFL star Kelvin Hayden] says people don’t take you seriously unless you’re married. Even men in business: The tone changes when you say, ‘Oh, this is so-and-so, and he has a wife.’ I see them light up. I think it’s both sides.” Hopefully, What Men Want helps break this stigma.
Everett
As for Henson, she says she’s still fighting for equality in Hollywood, even with all her success. “I just don’t take no for an answer,” she says. “I just prove myself in film after film, role after role, to the point where I’m undeniable. And now you got to give me my money.”
Henson wants other women to adopt a similar mind-set. “My main thing is for women: Just please keep fighting,” she says. “See this movie and be inspired to fight more. For women who are afraid to speak—even if your voice tremors—you have to speak. You have to. Because if you have daughters, you want to make it easier for them.”
What Men Want is now in theaters nationwide.
Christopher Rosa is the entertainment writer at Glamour. Reporting by Glamour West Coast editor Jessica Radloff.
