Well, in the cinema I was in there was another reaction after the film. People were moved and impressed by the film. I didn't see a bored face.
And personally I think it's the opposite. For me the film only became involving after the mother was gone, and if it had been shortened in the first half, I would've rated it even higher. The interesting thing about the film is NOT its plot or the story, or whatever, but exactly the waiting, the on and on, the happening of daily things, which make life so wonderful. If it weren't for the second act of the film, the numerous repetitions, the glance at life evolving, the movie would have just been another low budget, look-what-terrible-things-happen-in-the-modern-society tearjerker. 
The key to the film is repetition, and the documentary approach to it. Through repetition life shows its essence.