21

Ben: "This is crazy."
Mickey: "No, this is profitable."

release year: 2008
genre: drama
viewing setting: home Bluray 12/12/21 and 1/12/17 and 9/1/13 and home DVD, 11/23/09 and 3/12/09 and theater, 3/30/08

synopsis: A mathematically-gifted MIT student learns to count cards in Las Vegas, but this second life eventually catches up to him.

impressions: I thought it was pretty good, though I also read the book(s) it's based on. The idea here is that people who are really good at math can count cards and do better at blackjack, and if several of them work as a team, they can really turn the odds in their favor. Worked into this are other factors (the girl, the glamourous Vegas life, infighting among the team, and casino security's attempts to stop the team.) Several smaller aspects of the story were changed to make the movie flow better, but all in all, it's good gambling fun.

something this movie has that no other movie has: A 21-year old kid betting with $25,000 chips.

acting: Jim Sturgess is the main kid. Kate Bosworth is the girl. Kevin Spacey is the math teacher who runs the team. Lawrence Fishburne is the casino security guy.

final word: Well-done and entertaining.

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