Watch The Polka King

The Polka King is a 2017 biographical comedy-drama film directed by Maya Forbes and co-written by Forbes and Wally Wolodarsky. The film is based on the real-life story of Jan Lewan, a Pennsylvania polka legend who became embroiled in a Ponzi scheme that led him to prison. The film stars Jack Black as Lewan, Jenny Slate as his wife Marla, and Jason Schwartzman as his best friend and band member Mickey Pizzazz.

The film is set in the 1980s and 1990s in Pennsylvania, where Jan Lewan is a living legend of Polish polka music, having built up a large following of fans through his energetic shows and charismatic personality. However, despite his success, Lewan is constantly seeking new ways to make money, and his obsession with wealth and fame eventually leads him down a dangerous path.

Lewan's downfall begins when he decides to create his own investment opportunity, Jan Lewan Enterprises, promising investors high returns based on the sales of his polka music and merchandise. However, with his business failing to generate enough revenue, Lewan resorts to using new investor's money to pay off old investors, creating a Ponzi scheme which eventually spirals out of control.

The film is a dark comedy, taking a lighthearted approach to Lewan's crimes and the subsequent fallout for himself and his loved ones. Black's performance as Lewan is the highlight of the film, capturing the character's larger-than-life personality and his desperation to achieve his dreams. Slate and Schwartzman are also excellent in their supporting roles, and the chemistry between the three leads is one of the film's biggest strengths.

The Polka King is a well-paced and entertaining film, with a great soundtrack of polka music and plenty of humorous moments. The film's depiction of the Polish-American community in Pennsylvania is also a highlight, capturing the intricacies and quirks of this unique subculture.

Overall, The Polka King is a fun and engaging film that offers a quirky and amusing take on a real-life story of greed and deception. Black's performance is a particular standout, and the film's blend of comedy and drama makes for an entertaining and engaging watch.

The Polka King is a 2018 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 65.