Is Goltzius & the Pelican Company Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2012)

📖 The Core Premise

Goltzius & the Pelican Company returns to the screen in 2012, bringing a fresh narrative to the Comedy, History genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Goltzius and the Pelican Company tells the story of Hendrik Goltzius, a late 16th century Dutch printer and engraver of erotic prints. A contemporary of Rembrandt and, indeed, more celebrated during his life, Goltzius seduces the Margrave of Alsace into paying for a printing press to make and publish illustrated books. In return, he promises him an extraordinary book of pictures of illustrating the Old Testament’s biblical stories. Erotic tales of Lot and his daughters, David and Bathsheba, Samson and Deliah and John the Baptist and Salome. To tempt the Margrave further, Goltzius and his printing company will offer to perform dramatisations of these erotic stories for his court."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. F. Murray Abraham does well with the material given, though the script occasionally limits their range. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Comedy. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Goltzius & the Pelican Company worth your time? If you appreciate Comedy, History films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Goltzius & the Pelican Company is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 128 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.