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The Polka King (2017)

TV-14   |    |  Biography, Comedy, Drama

The Polka King (2017) Poster

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

5.9/10
9,217
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65 Metascore

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  • Jack Black at an event for The Polka King (2017)
  • The Polka King (2017)
  • Jack Black at an event for The Polka King (2017)
  • The Polka King (2017)
  • Jack Black and Michael Lerman at an event for The Polka King (2017)
  • The Polka King (2017)

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Awards

1 win.

Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
20 January 2018 | lorirees
6
| 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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Did You Know?

Trivia

The real Jan Lewan, whose life this film is based, was in attendance at the Sundance Film Festival 2017 screening at the Eccles theatre. During the cast and crew Q&A, Jan joined Jack Black onstage to perform an a capella version of the Polka Rap.

Quotes

Jan Lewan: When I was little boy in Poland, all the times, I dreaming of America. So I come, I work hard, and I climb to the highest stars.
Jan Lewan: Oh, la, la; Ole, ole, ole, ole; O la-di, o la-la; Ole, ole, ole, ole; O la-di, o la-la Let's go!

Goofs

On the first check that elderly investors Ed and Anita present to Jan, their address in the upper right-hand corner is listed as "Hazelton," PA. However, the correct spelling of the Pennsylvania town in which the movie is set is "Hazleton."

Crazy Credits

You can see and hear the real Jan Lewin and his band perform.

Soundtracks

Latest Event
Written by Philippe Briand and Gabriel Saban
Courtesy of APM Music

Storyline

Plot Summary

Genres

Biography | Comedy | Drama | Music

Details

Release Date:

12 January 2018

Language

English

Country of Origin

USA

Filming Locations

Rhode Island, USA

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