THE POLKA KING
US, 2017, 95 minutes, Colour.
Jack Black, Jenny Slate, Jason Schwartzman, Jacki Weaver, J.B. Smoove, Robert Capron.
Directed by Maya Forbes.
Entertaining film is based on an actual character, Jan Lewan, who had a life in Poland before migrating to Canada and the United States, setting himself up in Pennsylvania, marrying, gathering a band, playing polka music, genially attracting older audiences and, eventually, their giving money for him to invest. An enthusiast, he ignores warnings signs from friends and government about his investments and, ultimately, is indicted for fraud.
The film is based on a 2009 documentary on Jan Lewan, The Man Who Would Be Polka King.
While the screenplay is intriguing in itself, the strong impact of the film comes from the presence and performance of Jack Black, certainly in his element, highly intense, highly enthusiastic, exuberant music, absolutely confident in his abilities – and, dashed, in prison, after the exposure for fraud. But, he does intend a comeback…
There is a very strong supporting cast with Jenny Slate as his wife, a former beauty queen who is persuaded by her husband to enter another competition and then his trying to bribe the judges. Jason Schwartzman is a musician in the band, wanting to get out but cajoled and flattered by Jan. A very strong performance also comes from Jacki Weaver as Jan’s mother-in-law, standing up for her daughter, continually criticising Jan, enjoying her success in being vindictive.
And, all the time, there is the music. But, there is another significant world figure who appears – Pope John Paul II. One of Jan’s schemes is to take the money from his enthusiastic but unwary investors and organise trips to Europe. One of these involves bribing Vatican officials for a group audience with the Pope – which happened (and is featured in the documentary as well).
A film which is both interesting and enjoyable as we watch.
1. A true story? An unexpected story? Jan Lewan and his life? His career, ups and downs, his talents, fraud, prison?
2. The Pennsylvania settings, music and calls, shops, homes, the American town? Travels – to Europe, the Vatican?
3. The important to the music, the traditions of the polka, performance, enthusiastic responses?
4. Jan Lewan, the initial performance, his wife coming on stage, her being a beauty queen? His explanation of his origins, Poland, migration, to the US and Canada, the menial jobs? His music?
5. Jack Black and his vivacious presence? Jan and his marriage, and the bond with his wife, his son? The exhilaration of his performances, success, the members of the band, Mickey, the clarinet, his talking with Jan, wanting to quit, persuaded to stay? The issue of the dancing pair and its performance? Jan and his connection with the crowd, the elderly crowd, the ethnic crowd?
6. His wife, the jewellery, his shop, the advertising, the enterprise, the souvenirs, the Polish clientele, more money?
7. The elderly couple, wanting to give him the money, is setting up the trust, the continued donors? Legalities and legalities? The authorities coming for warnings about what he was doing?
8. The increase of deposits, his lifestyle, his wife and her enjoying the lifestyle but not necessarily knowing what he did? His son?
9. The idea of the tours, the groups, going to Europe, travelling around, the episode at the Vatican, his giving the money to bribe the officials, Pope John Paul II and the audience? Success?
10. The government agents, Mickey and his reluctance, the pizza shop, Mickey pizzazz? Jan, performances, tours, records?
11. Jan and his status, extroversion? His wife and the beauty pageant, wanting to bribe the judges? The consequences?
12. The ever-presence of his mother in law, her personality, her sardonic comments, criticisms?
13. The law coming down on him, reality, the exposure, the breakup of his marriage, dealing with his son, going to prison?
14. His subsequent history, resilient?
