IMDb > 21 (2008)
21
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Photos (see all 82 | slideshow) Videos (see all 28)
21 (2008) -- Trailer for 21
21 (2008) -- Clip: The language of counting
21 (2008) -- Interview: Laurence Fishburne "On his character"
21 (2008) -- "21" is the fact-based story about six MIT students who were trained to become experts in card counting and subsequently took Vegas casinos for millions in winnings.
21 (2008) -- "21" is the fact-based story about six MIT students who were trained to become experts in card counting and subsequently took Vegas casinos for millions in winnings.

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   53,948 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Peter Steinfeld (screenplay) and
Allan Loeb (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for 21 on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
28 March 2008 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Inspired by the true story of five students who changed the game forever. more
Plot:
"21" is the fact-based story about six MIT students who were trained to become experts in card counting and subsequently took Vegas casinos for millions in winnings. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 5 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(5 articles)
Hollywood Money Man Kavanaugh Faces Jail For Second DUI
 (From WENN. 8 December 2008, 8:06 AM, PST)

21 Is No. 1
 (From Studio Briefing - Film News. 31 July 2008, 10:38 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
"Winner Winner Chicken Dinner" more (243 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
21 - The Movie (USA) (promotional title)
Untitled Blackjack Picture (USA) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for some violence, and sexual content including partial nudity.
Runtime:
123 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Cameo: [Ben Campbell]the real life Ben Campbell as a Planet Hollywood blackjack dealer. more
Goofs:
Continuity: During the opening scene montage, when Ben is riding his bike across the bridge, the position of his backpack changes several times. more
Quotes:
Miles Connoly: I've got some good news, though. I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance. more
Movie Connections:
References Heavy Metal (1981) more
Soundtrack:
Home more

FAQ

Is this movie based on a book?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
Is Micky Rosa a real person or made up?
more
152 out of 222 people found the following comment useful.
"Winner Winner Chicken Dinner", 28 March 2008
8/10
Author: Lechuguilla from Dallas, Texas

Slick camera work and some good performances rev up the technical quality of this fact-based story about a 21 year old MIT student named Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) who, along with his brainy Ivy League chums, travels to Vegas to win tons of money at the blackjack tables. Their sleazy math professor, Micky Rosa (Kevin Spacey), leads the group. Rosa has devised an elaborate and conspiratorial card counting scheme that consists of code words and hand gestures. With all that preparation, the group's scheme does work ... for a while. And in the process, the shy, cautious Ben, who only wants the money for tuition costs, morphs into his alter ego, a person quite unlike his original self.

The film's pace starts off leisurely, then alternates between fast-paced Vegas casino action and periods of downtime wherein Ben and his girlfriend, fellow conspirator Jill (Kate Bosworth), talk shop and take in the high life. The story does have a villain, but it may not be who you think it is.

The script's dialogue is snappy and hip, and contains minimal tech jargon. "Variable change" is one such math term, and it has thematic implications toward the end, as the story twists and turns in ways that may surprise you. And "winner winner, chicken dinner" is the group's lingo for gambling success.

Production design is realistic and lavish; this is a big budget film. Color cinematography, by DP Russell Carpenter, is polished and slick. There are lots of elaborate camera dissolves and close-ups. The best parts of the film are the close-ups of the characters at the blackjack tables. Film editing coincides with plot pacing, and ranges from slow to super fast. Acting is all-around good. Kevin Spacey gives his usual topnotch acting job; Sturgess and Bosworth also give fine performances.

It's not a perfect film. Background music was noisy and rather nondescript for my taste. And I could have wished for more card playing, and less time spent on Ben's college buddies in the first Act; the result is that the film gets off to a slow start. Still, the script is credible, and stays close to its book source "Bringing Down The House" by Ben Mezrich.

Thematically relevant in today's world of greed and materialism, "21" is a terrific film, one that has greater import than other films, because the events in "21" really happened. And the fine performances and polished visuals enhance the overall look and feel, to create a film that is both engaging and entertaining.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (243 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for 21 (2008)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
comped suite? apanophobic
Similarities to 'Risky Business'?? PowerHungry
Serious question about Monty Hall (NOT 66 vs 50%) the_carn
The ONE thing that really really annoyed me. whitemanwalking
Airport Security and Hidden Money Question D_Parton
A lot of plot problems - not a very good movie - i'm disappointed bungcisco
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Blow River's Edge Croupier A Beautiful Mind King of New York
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.