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The Polka King

  • 2017
  • TV-14
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
12K
YOUR RATING
Jason Schwartzman, Jack Black, and Jenny Slate in The Polka King (2017)
Local Pennsylvania polka legend Jan Lewan develops a plan to get rich, but sometimes with big plans come big mistakes.
Play trailer2:17
1 Video
62 Photos
BiographyComedyDramaMusic

Local Pennsylvania polka legend Jan Lewan develops a plan to get rich that shocks his fans and lands him in jail.Local Pennsylvania polka legend Jan Lewan develops a plan to get rich that shocks his fans and lands him in jail.Local Pennsylvania polka legend Jan Lewan develops a plan to get rich that shocks his fans and lands him in jail.

  • Director
    • Maya Forbes
  • Writers
    • Maya Forbes
    • Wallace Wolodarsky
  • Stars
    • Jack Black
    • Jenny Slate
    • Jason Schwartzman
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    12K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Maya Forbes
    • Writers
      • Maya Forbes
      • Wallace Wolodarsky
    • Stars
      • Jack Black
      • Jenny Slate
      • Jason Schwartzman
    • 56User reviews
    • 43Critic reviews
    • 65Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:17
    Official Trailer

    Photos62

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    + 57
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    Top cast92

    Edit
    Jack Black
    Jack Black
    • Jan Lewan
    Jenny Slate
    Jenny Slate
    • Marla Lewan
    Jason Schwartzman
    Jason Schwartzman
    • Mickey Pizzazz
    Jacki Weaver
    Jacki Weaver
    • Barb
    J.B. Smoove
    J.B. Smoove
    • Ron Edwards
    • (as JB Smoove)
    Robert Capron
    Robert Capron
    • David Lewan
    Willie Garson
    Willie Garson
    • Lonny
    Vanessa Bayer
    Vanessa Bayer
    • Bitsy Bear
    Robert Macaux
    • Christopher
    Mary Klug
    • Anita Krzyewski
    Kevin Healey
    • Ed Krzyewski
    Wallace Wolodarsky
    Wallace Wolodarsky
    • Vince
    • (as Wally Wolodarsky)
    Lew Schneider
    Lew Schneider
    • Lou Laroue
    Phyllis Kay
    Phyllis Kay
    • Marilyn
    Richard Donelly
    • Stan Moetek
    Kati Salowsky
    Kati Salowsky
    • Connie Klopski
    Jordan Lloyd
    • Debra Johnson
    Rachel Annette Helson
    Rachel Annette Helson
    • Beauty Pageant Judge
    • Director
      • Maya Forbes
    • Writers
      • Maya Forbes
      • Wallace Wolodarsky
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews56

    6.012.4K
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    Featured reviews

    Gordon-11

    I didn't enjoy it

    This film tells the story of a Polish Polka music singer, who makes a fortune by setting up a Ponzi scheme that targets the elderly.

    I thought it would be a comedy, but only after a few minutes in I already found out it was not funny at all. The story is not so engaging because the background stories of the investors are not explained, and hence I feel little for them. The characters in the film are not very likable either. Unfortunately, I did not like this film as I imagined I would.
    7Russ_Thompson

    Wolf of Wall Street Polka Edition

    Surprisingly funny and warm-hearted tale about a guy who basically steals 5 million dollars from pensioners and fakes a whole life for himself with it.
    8kjproulx

    An Absurd And Fascinating Story

    I've always enjoyed watching films with Jack Black as the leading man, but his career has been pretty hit or miss in terms of good and bad content. Recently with Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, he's been having a solid year, but I've been waiting for his classic performances to return. Not since films like High Fidelity, Shallow Hal, or School of Rock have I truly found myself loving him. That being said, I loved how he was committed to his role in the recent rendition of Jumanji and The Polka King only continues his recent devotion to acting. This is a film that completely came under the radar for me, but it's a pretty solid surprise. Now streaming on Netflix everywhere, here's why I think you should check out The Polka King.

    Exploring the craziness that ensued when one man wanted to create a so-called "Empire," The Polka King follows Jan Lewan as he does his best to find investors for his company, in order to tour the world, making tons of money. The only issues are that his touring hardly have him breaking even, while his investors continue to invest money, having him owing millions of dollars and spiraling out of control. More than anything, this was simply a fascinating watch, especially when having the knowledge that it's a true story. Polka itself isn't very interesting to me in terms of art mediums, but there was something about this film that hooked me from beginning to end.

    From humor to drama, The Polka King has it all. When Lewan is down on his luck, he enjoys finding the best in every situation and that makes for quite a few hilarious scenarios and I found myself audibly laughing on multiple occasions here. Jack Black, as I mentioned already, is a fantastic talent in term of comedy and he doesn't disappoint here. Jenny Slate as Lewan's wife is terrific as well and they share a strange chemistry that I was sort of surprised by. On top of these two great performances, I found myself loving Jason Schwartzman's contribution to this film as well, and I haven't really been blown away by any of his work in the past, so that's saying something from me.

    I may be slightly biased when giving my recommendation here because I'm the type of person who loves the meshing of multiple genres. When Comedies and Dramas are mixed together to make films like off-beat movies like 50/50 or Safety Not Guaranteed (just to name a couple), I feel that it's more relatable. Not everything in the world is dour and depressing and not everything is cheerful, so a nice blend of the two is always what draws me in more. The Polka King does a great job at making you laugh, but you also feel terrible for this guy, who steals everyone's money, but his heart's always in the right place.

    In the end, this is one of the better films to be released on Netflix in a while and I recommend it to those who're looking for a quick watch. At a breezy 90 minutes, this movie gives you comedy, drama, life lessons, and hope. There's not much more you could ask for from a movie like this. The one downside is that you can sort of predict where the film's going, even if you're unaware of the true story. It's the type of movie that's very solid and worth a watch, but won't ever be up for awards or even remembered for that matter. That's a shame because it's a nice little comedy that I believe deserves some attention.
    6NikkoFranco

    Scammer with a Sponge heart.

    My unsolicited advise to those who intend to watch this movie is to watch extra the documentary about the real Polka King, Jan Lewandoski, as then there's a valid conparison to the real persona vs. Jack Black's portrayal as Jan Lewan ( americanized version of his name). Black's portrayal is funny and genuine. The suspicious mother in law is a superb character who adds spice to the Jan Lewan saga , in those days Jan might have pioneered the pyramiding scam not by evil intentions but perhaps out of wanting to satisfy every one else. There is a confrontation scène near the end between the mother in law and some alleged victims which rings true - one gets scammed because one is too greedy thus deserves it. Pay no attention to the humpahpah music but focus on the motivation of real people and what it results to, this is what this film is about.
    6lorirees

    Worth watching.

    I always have good intentions of going to the movies on Friday night. Inevitably fatigue from the workweek gets the best of me and I end of staying in. Polka King was my stay-at-home Friday night movie choice and I enjoyed it. Some reviews pan this movie as boring and terrible. This is a decent, entertaining movie. I knew about this story because years ago I saw the documentary, The Man Who Would Be Polka King.

    I have always like Jack Black, especially his performances in Bernie and Margot at the Wedding. Maybe Black didn't exactly pin down the Polish accent perfectly but I believe the essence of Jan Lewan came across. Maybe Jack Black isn't the perfect choice to play for this particular part, but he can sing and has good comedic timing. Jason Schwarman, Jenny Slate, and Jacki Weaver were also entertaining and believable when you compare the documentary (The Man Who Would Be Polka King) to this film. I especially appreciated Jacki Weaver's comedic and frustrated performance. There were plenty of funny parts -- I got a kick every time Black's character said Bitsy Bear.

    Definitely give this movie a chance if you are in the mood for a decent, entertaining movie. If you have time on your hands, it's fun to watch the documentary after.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The original Jan Lewan Orchestra members; Steve Saive Trumpet, Bob Lugiano Trumpet, Scott Shirk Saxophone, and Stephen Kaminski Saxophone, recorded the movie soundtrack at Avatar studios along with Jan Lewan who was coaching Jack Black on his vocals.
    • Goofs
      Although the minor detail was caught to use the proper blue & yellow Pennsylvania license plates prior to the year 2000 and then update them to the current form upon Lewan's release from prison, vehicles are shown having front plates. Pennsylvania does not issue front license plates.
    • Quotes

      Title Card: This really happened.

      Title Card: In Pennsylvania.

    • Crazy credits
      You can see and hear the real Jan Lewan and his band perform.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Film Junk Podcast: Episode 643: The Post and The Road Movie (2018)
    • Soundtracks
      Ole Ole Ole 12 Inch
      Written by Mike Stock, Jeanine Dee, Roland Verlooven, Matt Aitken (as Matthew James Aitken) and Pete Waterman

      Performed by Jack Black

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    FAQ17

    • How long is The Polka King?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 12, 2018 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Vua Lừa Đảo
    • Filming locations
      • Rhode Island, USA
    • Production companies
      • ShivHans Pictures
      • Electric Dynamite
      • Permut Presentations
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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