The Polka King

"The greatest scandal in polka history."

2017 1h 35m EN

😐

5.6

MID

★5.6TMDB · 344

Comedy

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

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

“The greatest scandal in polka history.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Jack Black
Jan Lewan
Jenny Slate
Marla Lewan
Jason Schwartzman
Mickey Pizzazz
Jacki Weaver
Barb
JB Smoove
Ron Edwards
Robert Capron
David Lewan
Willie Garson
Lonny
Vanessa Bayer
Bitsy Bear

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Maya Forbes
Writers: Maya Forbes, Wallace Wolodarsky
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Released 9 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Maya Forbes, shot by Andrei Schwartz. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Theodore Shapiro. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Catherine Haight shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

CAST

Did you know

Jack Black and Jenny Slate and Jason Schwartzman carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "The greatest scandal in polka history.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt5539052 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Maya Forbes directs. Andrei Schwartz behind the camera. Theodore Shapiro scores. Catherine Haight cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 9 years ago.
2Directed by Maya Forbes, shot by Andrei Schwartz. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by Theodore Shapiro. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Catherine Haight shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Jack Black and Jenny Slate and Jason Schwartzman carry the top of the cast.
6Marketing tagline: "The greatest scandal in polka history.".
7IMDB entry: tt5539052 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Andrei Schwartz
Original score: Theodore Shapiro
Editing: Catherine Haight
Production design: Carl Sprague
Costume design: Susan Lyall
Runtime: 95 min · 1h 35m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: EN
IMDB: The Polka King (2017)

Also by

Maya Forbes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

furious_iz2018-01-16
★ 5/10
Something's missing from this one, or maybe it's couple of things. Jack Black plays goofy loveable Polka King of Pennsylvania Jan Lewan. He is completely certain of his own talent and has an immense drive to make it big. Sadly he isn't that smart, and not enough people love his music, only a group of dedicated elderly fans, so in a desperate act out of what seems like altruism he starts what is essentially a ponzi scheme to help get his musicians paid more and build his empire. Jack Black is solid, so if you like his schtick or Polka music you may enjoy this, but outside of that it seems like the actors think this film is a comedy when nothing really funny is said or done. The film ambles along, recreating the events, but it misses any kind of heart or soul that would have been found in the real people. The biggest disappointment was Jason Schwartzman, the usually solid comedy actor was completely coasting. And what a total waste of JB Smoove. Jenny Slate seemed the most committed to her role outside of Jack Black, but even she couldn't hold this film together. All in all the film reminded me of another Jack Black film based on true events called Bernie, but Bernie was superior in every way.

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