The Polka King

Name: The Polka King
Genre: Biography, Drama, Comedy
Released: January 12, 2018
Duration: 95 min
Rating: 65
Cast: Jack Black, Jacki Weaver, Jason Schwartzman, JB Smoove, Jenny Slate

2018

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 30 Ratings

See All

6.2

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.2	Your Score
6.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 30 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

The Polka King

Now Playing: The Polka King

Movie Details & Credits

Netflix | Release Date (Streaming): January 12, 2018 | TV-14

Starring: Jack Black, Jacki Weaver, Jason Schwartzman, JB Smoove, Jenny Slate, Juani Feliz, Kati Salowsky, Mary Klug, Robert Capron, Robert Macaux, Vanessa Bayer, Willie Garson

Summary: This exuberant tragicomedy recounts the remarkable but true story of the rise and fall of Polish émigré Jan Lewan (Jack Black), from striving tchotchke shop owner in the ’70s to the undisputed “King of Pennsylvania Polka” in the early ’90s. Lewan pursued the American Dream by any means necessary, fleecing investors and bribing officials toThis exuberant tragicomedy recounts the remarkable but true story of the rise and fall of Polish émigré Jan Lewan (Jack Black), from striving tchotchke shop owner in the ’70s to the undisputed “King of Pennsylvania Polka” in the early ’90s. Lewan pursued the American Dream by any means necessary, fleecing investors and bribing officials to build a personal musical empire in what became the world’s only known Polka Ponzi scheme. Swept up by Lewan’s charismatic charm are his devoted wife, Marla (Jenny Slate), and his neurotic sidekick, Mickey (Jason Schwartzman).… Expand

Director: Maya Forbes

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Comedy

Rating: TV-14

Runtime: 95 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Andrew Crump

Jan 18, 2018

Maya Forbes has crafted a zippy comedy about a charismatic charlatan and the disastrous impact his fakery has on the rubes gullible enough to fall for his schtick. Read full review

Dennis Harvey

Jan 25, 2017

When it comes to the film’s overall success, these wildly amusing situations take a back seat to the contributions of an excellent cast. Read full review

Matt Singer

Jan 25, 2017

This is one of those stories when reality was stranger, and more entertaining, than fiction. Read full review

Anthony Kaufman

Jan 25, 2017

The Polka King, and Jan’s plight, never quite reaches the level of palpable human drama of their previous effort. Black does his best to make Jan a vulnerable and sympathetic character, but neither the script nor the direction allows him to become fully dimensional. Read full review

The Guardian Jordan Hoffman

Jan 25, 2017

What’s key is that even though this is a movie about a scoundrel, it’s all very optimistic. Forbes and Wolodarsky keep the frame bright and the filmmaking calls attention to itself only when necessary. Read full review

John DeFore

Jan 25, 2017

Jack Black...finds a role that invites a great deal of Jack Black-ness, full of peppy showmanship and thickly accented dialogue. But even moviegoers with a strong tolerance for that shtick may be less than involved with this half-charming feature, which inspires some sympathy for its protagonist but not enough to carry the film. Read full review

Allison Shoemaker

Jan 14, 2018

It’s not that the film doesn’t have an opinion on Lewan, it’s that the opinion seems to change every few scenes. Read full review

SEE ALL 11 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

PRayMatthew73

May 25, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Having seen Star Wars from Opening Day 1977, Ron and Kathy Kennedy have out done themselves again with help from a mix of a perfect cast. This film out did itself. Offering surprises at every turn, suspense, syfy shots to "Ahh" the mind, and even a some giggles from old fashion star war humor. An even long lost cast members from Lucas's original III, IV, V films, Look carefully you'll see them. The practical and digital effects teams have pulled all there tricks out of the barrel for this one. Go see this one on the big screen....you won't regret it. Five Stars!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

NightHunter1

Feb 11, 2018

A really inspiring story about an actually a good man, full of energy and belief, who came to a big land having a dream. His only problem of promising too much doesn't make him bad, he didn't attend to harm anyone. Music is really great, I don't think I ever heard polka. Jack Black had hisA really inspiring story about an actually a good man, full of energy and belief, who came to a big land having a dream. His only problem of promising too much doesn't make him bad, he didn't attend to harm anyone. Music is really great, I don't think I ever heard polka. Jack Black had his downwards in his acting career, but this perform reminds that he's actually a really good actor who rarely has a chance to find himself among good movies. JB deserves more, as well as Polka King.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SquaredRen

Jan 19, 2018

This movie manages to tell a story in a funny way, even in the shady acts coming from the main character. Jack Black acting is wonderful, every scene his characters seems believe-able given the situation. The cast overall does a great job, it's well directed and has a lot of funny moments.This movie manages to tell a story in a funny way, even in the shady acts coming from the main character. Jack Black acting is wonderful, every scene his characters seems believe-able given the situation. The cast overall does a great job, it's well directed and has a lot of funny moments. Overall, this movie doesn't seem to aim on bringing a huge impact in cinema or storytelling, it feels like another biography inspired films with funny moments and great performances.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

geewah

Jan 10, 2021

A funny movie who's greatest strength comes from the performance it's cast. Jack Black brings heart and humour to the lead role in arguably his best performance.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

drlowdon

Jan 28, 2018

Based on a true story The Polka King tells the tale of Polish-American band leader Jan Lewan.

Director Maya Forbes keeps things light, painting Lewan as a sympathetic character who was simply blinded by his own ambitions (something I’m not sure the victims of his scheme would all agreeBased on a true story The Polka King tells the tale of Polish-American band leader Jan Lewan.

Director Maya Forbes keeps things light, painting Lewan as a sympathetic character who was simply blinded by his own ambitions (something I’m not sure the victims of his scheme would all agree with). Jack Black anchors the movie by doing what Jack Black does singing and dancing his way enthusiastically through the film. Everything moves along at a good pace ensuring proceedings always remain entertaining enough but ultimately The Polka King lacks the emotional depth or laugh out loud moments to stick in the mind for very long.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Jan 17, 2018

Frankly it leaves an impression for the work of its actors and the characters that the film itself.
It only aims to entertain and in a certain way achieves it, but it never exceeds a point of a certain quality, it never reaches for something more and that passivity is not really attractive

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

MikefromAngus

Apr 15, 2018

Funny at times. It was better then I expected it to be. Above average Netflix movie!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 8 REVIEWS