Erotic Tales: The Waiting Room (1996) User Reviews

Dream or reality?

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 12 February 2016]

"De wachtkamer" or "The Waiting Room" is a 25-minute short film written and directed by Jos Stelling, who had his 70th birthday last year. He made this short film, maybe his most known work, 20 years ago. There are really many supporting players in here, but the core cast is only 3 people, maybe even only 2. The actors who play husband and wife may even be somewhat famous in the Netherlands. This is a Dutch production, but except a soundtrack, this is basically a silent film, so you can watch it no matter where you come from and what languages you speak. The Lady in Blue is somewhat iconic I must say, even if I did not find her half as appealing sexually that the protagonist. I prefer brunettes. Anyway, a pretty good watch, even if it needs roughly 10 minutes to get going and become interesting. But then it's tough to watch away, even if not really that much is happening. The faces of the other guys in the room are almost more entertaining than the action itself. And the ending with the wife wiping him clean is somewhat ironic too. Overall nicely done and I recommend checking it out. Thumbs up.

"O be careful little eyes what you see . . ."

[hofnarr · 10/10 · 19 October 2001]

This director is simply incredible. I saw Jos Stelling's film THE POINTSMAN some years ago, and I'm not sure I would have believed a feature length film without the spoken word could be made. But he did it, and it was great! So then, would a shorter film in the same format be easier to make? You might think so. But Mark Twain once remarked (paraphrased) that he could do a 2 hour speech on most any subject with little advance preparation, but to properly do a 15 minute speech might take at least a week to properly prepare. Regardless, he has a wonderful time in a train station, mostly in the waiting room. The camera is mainly on a Casanova of a man as his gaze goes well beyond the personal boundaries of the women he is, . . . well, to put it bluntly, lusting after. It reminded me of the cartoon postcard of a slick-talking guy next to a woman asking her "Do you mind if I undress you with my eyes?" and she is thinking {'well, I guess it's better than having you touch me"] Whether or not this guy knows he's gone beyond the bounds of propriety I'll leave to your contemplation. But his come-uppance is quite delightful.