John Lanting plays Barend Minderman, a psychiatrist who had an affair with all of his female patients. He's even got a Burt Reynolds style manly mustache to prove it. Just when he's about to leave on a romantic weekend with his American fling Dolly (Annelies Balhan), his soon to be ex-wife Vera (Bruni Heinke) arrives unexpectedly. You see, the two of them have been finding it extremely difficult to break the news of their impending divorce to their favorite (and rich) aunt Minnie (Georgette Hagedoorn). Vera, who was supposed to gently inform the old dear at her home in Venraai, has instead decided to invite her over to Barend's practice in Den Bosch for the weekend (before she's off on one of her trips around the world again).
When dear old auntie arrives, the Mindermans try to tell her the truth and get it over with, but as we are watching a televised play here, the wealthy aunt with the weak heart condition misunderstands and congratulates them on their pregnancy instead. What's worse, she decides to stay for the weekend, leading Barend & Vera to reluctantly pretend to still be a couple. This of course does not sit well with Dolly and Vera's new suitor Freak Ruisman (Paul van Gorcum), who get insanely jealous. The shrinks not too bright housekeeper Titia (Marjan Berk) merely gets thoroughly confused. As usual, lies are stacked upon lies within a short period of time and soon Freekie and Dolly are pretending to be a couple as well, namely Barend's best friend De Boer from Rozendaal and his (equally pregnant) Mrs.
Problems arise when the two makeshift couples have to spend the night together while wanting to keep an eye on their real loved ones. It is decided the men should bunk up together and the women should do the same. But, as Auntie Minnie is supposed to be kept in the dark about this as well, there are plenty of opportunities for confusion and misunderstandings. One lengthy but well executed set piece involves Barend (in blue pajamas) and Ruisman (in red) trying to share a bed by turning it into a makeshift 'train compartment' bunk bed. When this fails, they take military shifts instead. Paul van Gorcum, who is probably best known as a voice artist, proves to be a very energetic match for John Lanting in these scenes.
However, the wealthy godmother is not as easily fooled as the others think. She soon catches on to the fake 'De Boer' couple and begins to manipulate the four liars to suit her own purpose. First she gets Titia the misunderstanding maid on her side, before inviting the actual De Boer over to add in the confusion (though neither of the actors get much to do). The wily old lady manages to drive Freekie and Dolly into each others arms, making Barend and Vera jealous and forcing the Mindermans to rethink their own relationship. Thanks to Minnie, this farce gets a happy end for all concerned (a bit of a rarity in this genre) and unlike some of other Theater Van De Lach productions I could mention, this one never seems to drag.
8 out of 10
When dear old auntie arrives, the Mindermans try to tell her the truth and get it over with, but as we are watching a televised play here, the wealthy aunt with the weak heart condition misunderstands and congratulates them on their pregnancy instead. What's worse, she decides to stay for the weekend, leading Barend & Vera to reluctantly pretend to still be a couple. This of course does not sit well with Dolly and Vera's new suitor Freak Ruisman (Paul van Gorcum), who get insanely jealous. The shrinks not too bright housekeeper Titia (Marjan Berk) merely gets thoroughly confused. As usual, lies are stacked upon lies within a short period of time and soon Freekie and Dolly are pretending to be a couple as well, namely Barend's best friend De Boer from Rozendaal and his (equally pregnant) Mrs.
Problems arise when the two makeshift couples have to spend the night together while wanting to keep an eye on their real loved ones. It is decided the men should bunk up together and the women should do the same. But, as Auntie Minnie is supposed to be kept in the dark about this as well, there are plenty of opportunities for confusion and misunderstandings. One lengthy but well executed set piece involves Barend (in blue pajamas) and Ruisman (in red) trying to share a bed by turning it into a makeshift 'train compartment' bunk bed. When this fails, they take military shifts instead. Paul van Gorcum, who is probably best known as a voice artist, proves to be a very energetic match for John Lanting in these scenes.
However, the wealthy godmother is not as easily fooled as the others think. She soon catches on to the fake 'De Boer' couple and begins to manipulate the four liars to suit her own purpose. First she gets Titia the misunderstanding maid on her side, before inviting the actual De Boer over to add in the confusion (though neither of the actors get much to do). The wily old lady manages to drive Freekie and Dolly into each others arms, making Barend and Vera jealous and forcing the Mindermans to rethink their own relationship. Thanks to Minnie, this farce gets a happy end for all concerned (a bit of a rarity in this genre) and unlike some of other Theater Van De Lach productions I could mention, this one never seems to drag.
8 out of 10