The Art of Waiting (2019) User Reviews

Important issue addressed, characters better acted than written

[Nozz · 6/10 · 3 November 2019]

Human infertility is a growing problem (I blame the food, but what do I know?), and it's a good idea to have a movie that will raise awareness and sensitivity about the attendant suffering. This movie touches the bases, but at times it seems too undisguisedly didactic.

The tension arising from infertility causes spats between the couple, but it's left up to the audience to keep liking the characters through thick and thin while the script doesn't provide all the necessary support. The characters aren't shown displaying regret or introspection after bad behavior, and so (despite fine acting) the audience may stop identifying with the characters.

Ultimately a real loser

[jeffsultanof · 4/10 · 15 November 2020]

I must say up front that I was one of those people who had to go to a fertility specialist to have my wonderful son Alex, and my ex-wife and I did not have many of the issues that this couple has. But that doesn't excuse what is in this movie, which, as the previous reviewer wrote and I agree with, really strains credibility.

While it is true that most people with fertility problems grow more and more upset the more the various issues become more and more frustrating and sometimes heartbreaking, what happens in this movie is way over the top by the 3/4 point. The male parents of the couple are either ignorant or have ego problems. The doctor treating the couple has no emotion and clearly has no interest in them as human beings. There is one scene where the doctor slaps the boy in the face, which is where I finally lost interest and walked out. This is clearly inappropriate behavior and made no sense. Did the filmmaker think that that was funny? It's appalling.

Overall, this movie starts out well, but descends into melodrama that becomes difficult to sit through (notice I said I walked out). This didn't totally waste my time, as the acting was excellent. But obviously I don't recommend this film.