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

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 25, 2018

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

| Jan 25, 2018

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.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 24, 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.

| Jan 18, 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.

| Jan 17, 2018

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

| Original Score: C | Jan 14, 2018

Playing con artists seems to bring out the best in Jack Black.

| Jan 11, 2018

The cast performs these scenes entertainingly-Black's dancing eyes remain as compelling as ever-without ever transcending how unfocused and flatly shot they are.

| Original Score: C+ | Jan 11, 2018

A frisky and energetic comedy with a snappy, screwball spirit, which isn't exactly a given, considering the subject matter:

| Jan 30, 2017

The sporadic magic of The Polka King largely comes from its casting, and the hammy performances that follow.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 26, 2017

An ingratiating comedy based on an improbable true story.

| Jan 23, 2017

Inspires some sympathy for its protagonist but not enough to carry the film.

| Jan 23, 2017