INTRODUCTION

"A spot opened up, and you seem a nice fit."
"Jimmy got a job at Google."
"If it pays so well, then why did he quit?"
"I said 'Google,' not 'Sizzler.' " (Deadpanned by Spacey).


PLOT

A God-complexed MIT professor-impeccably nailed by Kevin Spacey-forms a small student club and teaches them to count cards at Blackjack tables in Vegas.  Ben Campbell-an exceptionally-gifted student-is selected to replace "Jimmy," who'd just been hired by Google.  They teach him the ropes, start flying to Vegas on weekends, and begin racking up obscene amounts of money.  Ben originally planned to do it only until he earned enough money to pay for Harvard Medical School--$300,000.  However, he becomes seduced by the money, power, control--and also falls head-over-heels in love with another team member-Jill-played by Kate Bosworth.  His inflated ego (and vulnerable heart) create a dysfunctional team dynamic that attracts the attention of Cole Williams--a casino security chief determined not to get retired by fancy face recognition software (and who has a decades-old score to settle with Professor Rosa).  Cole methodically and ruthlessly closes in on the team, which is left to exit the scene in as few pieces as possible.   Problem is, they aren't aware of the history between Cole and Rosa, so the odds of a graceful exit start to take a "grave" turn.  The manner in which these events unfold, and the resolution, are sure to command your attention, in this gripping, dramatic tale.

ACTING

Spacey and Fishburne take the cake in this category-with possible Oscars on the way-but the cast did a great job as a whole.  No question about it-Spacey's aura of quiet intensity drives the film, and Fishburne's menace chases it-and they sometimes switch positions.  You immediately believe Spacey is the God-figure, edgy professor--and you are ready to be his no-questions-asked disciple.  You are terrified by Fishburne's Williams--who is as streetwise-calculating as his prey is, cerebrally, and you can hardly tell who is a step behind (or ahead).  Sturgess's Ben does well as the casual, likeable genius, but seems to progress into the willing, expert accomplice a little too quickly, considering his initial reluctance.  Aaron Yoo and Liza Lapira don't say much, but they have great screen presence, when needed (and Lapira brings a great deal of sizzle--particularly in the poolside scene when several guys are practically lined-up to gain her affections).  Kate Bosworth is best supporting actress material, in her portrayal as the tough-on-the-outside-but-with-a-down-home-story-to-tell Jill--and the synergistic chemistry with Campbell really helps to drive the story.  Lastly, Jacob Pitts does a fine job of "acting-out" (as Fisher) as Sturgess slides into his "shotgun" position.  The entire team has a very palpable chemistry, and its difficult to imagine a different team of actors pulling this off so seemingly effortlessly.  Grade: A.

WRITING

Peter Steinfeld and Allan Loeb-relative newcomers, with not much more recent than 2002's Analyze That-artfully but somewhat amateurishly use the storytelling device, and begin with the end, as they open with Ben being interviewed for an elite, fully-paid scholarship to Harvard Medical School.  It was a somewhat clumsy way to frame the story, which is based on the book, Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions, by Ben Mezrich.  The caricatured, erudite interviewer asserts that the last winner of this scholarship was a Korean immigrant with one leg-what are you gonna do or say to top THAT, he postures.  "I want you to dazzle me," he says," cracking wise and skeptical.  Ben then proceeds to tell the story of his induction into the card-counting club, and their misadventures in Vegas.  This scene is revisited at the end, and at no other time.  Although this is funny, it could've been left out entirely--and perhaps more time could've been spent on Yoo and Lapira's character development.  Other than that, the film is full of witty, memorable one-liners, that fall off the actors' lips in metered fashion, which suits the mathematical nature of the film (then again, Spacey's acting sets the pace and tone, and it's not to say that there's anything robotic or uninspired about it).  They did a good job of pacing the story, though--there are no "hiccups," or breaks in the story.  Grade: B.

DIRECTING

Robert Luketic, the award-winning director of Monster-in-Law and Legally Blonde (of writing mint, too), turns in a flawless performance here.  Camerawork looked tightly-controlled, with sweeping views of both the Vegas Strip, and the various casinos' interiors.  I felt like I was there (no less helped by the actual Vegas and Massachussetts shooting locales), and I could tell that the technical crew was very tightly and expertly controlled by Mr. Luketic, who breathed life into the script, creating a very dramatic and gripping tale.  Grade: A+!


What Would Shakespeare Say?

I am a man, of iambic pan;
Off-stage hero, thitherto, forgo;
Fortune hath its rage unspun;
Calculated mayhem, unhung;
21 reeks of pun;
To Vegas--off I run!


DVD TECHNICAL DETAILS:

21 was mastered in high-quality HDTV format with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, in English Dolby Digital, SDDS, and DTS--subtitled in English, French, and Spanish.  The picture and sound are subjectively punchy, with contrasty colors that really come alive on my LG 37LC7D 37" HDTV, and top-notch sound through my built-in SRS speakers' sound--all of this adds to the feeling that you are there, in Vegas.  There is a 2-disc special edition available, as well as a steelbook edition.


TRIVIA


*The MIT scenes were shot at Boston University--MIT wouldn't permit it.
* The real-life Ben Campbell cameos as a Planet Hollywood Blackjack dealer.
* The problem Professor Rosa mentions in class is actually the "Monty Hall" problem."
* This story actually took place in the early 1990s.
* A Vegas security company, Griffin, investigated the real team members for years before identifying them, effectively banning them from Vegas casinos. One card-counter sued them for incorrectly associating him with the group, and Griffin had to file for bankruptcy.
* Owing to the stat that the average person who attempts to count cards loses 95% of the time, Vegas casinos welcomed the filmmakers (and publicity).
* A real life Pro Poker player named Andy Bloch was once a member of this team.
* The real-life Ben Campbell-Jeff Ma-did not need the money for college.


AWARDS & NOMINATIONS


*Won--Showest Convention, USA--Special Award-Best Ensemble--(shared) Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, Laurence Fishburne, Aaron Yoo, Liza Lapira, Jacob Pitts, and Josh Gad

* Nominated--Teen Choice Awards: Choice Movie Drama Actress: Kate Bosworth; Choice Movie Breakout Male: Jim Sturgess; Choice Movie: Drama

* Nominated--Golden Trailer Award: Best Drama TV Spot: "Innocence 60"


Recommendation for Children: this movie is rated PG-13, and contains some intensely violent scenes, and one with sexual overtones (poolside).  There is nothing here for preteens to be concerned with.  

 
CONCLUSION

21 is a very gripping, dramatic film detailing how a group of students were able to harness the power of their minds to legally and consistently overcome Vegas odds--it exceeded almost all my expectations.  The story was skillfully told (although with some license), and the acting, lighting and sound were top-notch.  A little more depth in the character development of Loo and Lapira would've helped, but their screen presence was sufficient.  You probably won't learn how to count cards, but you will learn some infamous Vegas lore, in dramatic fashion!  4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.


When not in Vegas I imagine I'm back here, doing THIS!


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Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good Date Movie
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older