I didn’t know whether to recommend this movie or not. Banjo Man and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but after reading a lot of horrible reviews I hesitated to tell you about it.
This Netflix movie is based on a true story, which is what is so fascinating about it. Jack Black is terrific as Jan Lewan, a Pennsylvania Polka King who used his charisma and personality to swindle his fans out of their money in a Ponzi scheme.
For the first fifteen minutes or so I wondered why I was still watching. Jan Lewan is just plain weird as he narrates his “story” in his point of view. But we were comfy on the couch on a cold January night, so I figured what the heck, let’s see how this plays out.
Well, it got better and better.
Because it is a true story. We couldn’t believe what the Polka King got away with and how he made himself into a larger than life entertainer. It was truly fascinating.
When it was over, with the credits rolling, the real Jan Lewan was shown singing his songs, along with the actual newspaper headlines of the various events. Clearly the screenwriters didn’t have to make this stuff up.
It was all there.
Solidly entertaining.
