Dutch drama series most notable for giving Aart Staartjes, best known as a children's entertainer, a serious, meaty part at the age of 67. As Willy Waltz, the stubborn and sickly head of a circus family, he dominates the show and his 'family' therein, all of whom of course take part in the circus show. His three sons Bruno, Felix and Enrico form an acrobat act, his Russian girlfriend Olga Lyppinsky (Olga Louzgina) is one half of a magic act, even his ex wife and mother to his boys (Astrid van Eck) still travels along and sells tickets. When Willy finds out he is seriously ill, he tries to hide it from his sons and starts planning a festive anniversary program. The problem is that he is unsure which one of his boys is best suited to follow in his footsteps and lead Circus Waltz. Bruno (Theo Maassen) still hasn't found a wife (viewers soon find out he's not interested in women) Felix (Barry Atsma), has tree children, but seems unable to make any decisions without help from his wife and Enrico (Koen Wouterse) is a headstrong buffoon (no wonder he also works as a clown).
A combined production from VARA and VPRO television, Waltz is typically grim and depressing. Nothing ever work out for any of the characters, instead, they usually end up fighting each other in the mud before making up in their cramped campers. Most of the action seems to take place at night and/or in the pouring rain. Even the music brings you down. Writer Robert Alberdingk Thijm seems to be under the impression that for drama to work, you must get rid of anything funny. Granted, Enrico's misadventures with fellow clown Spartacus occasionally amuse, but even this sub plot is mostly filled with misery and stubborn misunderstandings.
Critically received because of the obvious amount of talented people involved, the series was released on DVD even before every episode had been broadcast, with advertisements running after the last few installment proclaiming 'laughter, drama and unbelievable thrills'. That's a hoot. Anyone watching the series could tell these advertisers there was precious little to laugh at and nothing thrilling at all. Just non stop misery and sorrow for circus Waltz. After all, it is clear from the very first minutes of the first episode that Willy is fighting a battle he cannot possibly win.
7 out of 10
A combined production from VARA and VPRO television, Waltz is typically grim and depressing. Nothing ever work out for any of the characters, instead, they usually end up fighting each other in the mud before making up in their cramped campers. Most of the action seems to take place at night and/or in the pouring rain. Even the music brings you down. Writer Robert Alberdingk Thijm seems to be under the impression that for drama to work, you must get rid of anything funny. Granted, Enrico's misadventures with fellow clown Spartacus occasionally amuse, but even this sub plot is mostly filled with misery and stubborn misunderstandings.
Critically received because of the obvious amount of talented people involved, the series was released on DVD even before every episode had been broadcast, with advertisements running after the last few installment proclaiming 'laughter, drama and unbelievable thrills'. That's a hoot. Anyone watching the series could tell these advertisers there was precious little to laugh at and nothing thrilling at all. Just non stop misery and sorrow for circus Waltz. After all, it is clear from the very first minutes of the first episode that Willy is fighting a battle he cannot possibly win.
7 out of 10