Mikel Zorrilla Espinof Aug 1, 2019

It is a pleasant entertainment in which the good work of its actors stands out. [Full Review in Spanish]

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Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Dec 6, 2018 3.5/5

Jack Black excels in this completely bonkers true story of Jan Lewan, an American polka music legend.

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Sean Mulvihill FanboyNation.com Oct 30, 2018 3/5

Truth is truly stranger than fiction in this unbelievable true story that plays out like a dark, twisted version of the American Dream.

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Alan French AwardsCircuit.com Oct 10, 2018 2.5/4

This is a starring vehicle for Black more than anything else, and hopefully, he continues to get these quirky roles.

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Alci Rengifo Entertainment Voice Aug 29, 2018

Yet rarely are morality tales this entertaining, much in part due to Black's ability to create a bombastic persona with a sentimental touch. Crime doesn't pay, but it sure makes for great stories.

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Rob Thomas Capital Times (Madison, WI) Mar 19, 2018

[Jenny] Slate, usually playing roles as sharp as a tack, revels in playing Lewan's clueless wife.

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Shaun Munro Flickering Myth Mar 19, 2018 3.5/5

Black hasn't been better in quite some time, and there's even a cracking supporting cast in the bargain.

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Eric Melin Scene-Stealers.com Feb 6, 2018 2/4

Bernie finds a more cohesive balance between the craziness of the story and a solid emotional center. The Polka King never quite gets there.

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Tara Brady Irish Times Jan 25, 2018 3/5

There's a touch of School of Rock with an Oom-Pah-Pah beat about this likeable, if lightweight comedy.

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Ben Sachs Chicago Reader Jan 25, 2018

The Polka King is warm and sympathetic, avoiding easy jokes in favor of humane, character-driven humor.

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Radheyan Simonpillai NOW Toronto Jan 24, 2018 2/5

With a clipped and modestly entertaining 90-minute run time, The Polka King that relishes in Lewan's theatrics but rarely pauses to interrogate what's behind his facade.

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Renee Schonfeld Common Sense Media Jan 23, 2018 3/5

Comic portrait of real-life musician/con artist has cursing.

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Christian Toto HollywoodInToto.com Jan 22, 2018 2.5/4

Jack Black makes the antihero in The Polka King just so lovable. And that's a problem.

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Betty Jo Tucker ReelTalk Movie Reviews Jan 18, 2018

Although disappointed with 'The Polka King," I appreciate the way the film depicts how Jan Lewan's positive attitude influenced people who unwisely invested their money with him.

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Eddie Strait The Daily Dot Jan 18, 2018

The movie lacks a strong sense of tone and direction. The Polka King has a few things to offer viewers, but it's more of a missed opportunity than anything else.

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Karen Han The Daily Beast Jan 18, 2018

There are undeniably moments in which Lewan, played by Jack Black, comes off as heroic, but director Maya Forbes does her best to keep the ship on course. Black repeatedly returns to the confessional booth to ask for forgiveness for what he's doing.

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Brian Orndorf Blu-ray.com Jan 18, 2018 B+

Tremendously funny, even while it examines a frightfully corrupt human being.

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Kristy Puchko Pajiba Jan 17, 2018

In The Polka King, Forbes amp up the lunacy, star power, and energy to create something not only sensationally fun, but also enticingly thought-provoking.

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Allison Shoemaker Consequence Jan 14, 2018 C

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

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Joe Reid Decider Jan 12, 2018

The Polka King doesn't lack for energy. But the screenplay never really deals with Jan for much more than the sideshow he is. The film is a good bit less convincing than the man it's supposed to be about.

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