Review Of The Film "21"

image from Amazon

Premise:
Professor Mickey Rosa (Kevin Spacey) is putting together a team of college students in his math class that can learn how to count cards in Vegas. The golden boy on the team is the one who needs it the most. Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess of Across The Universe fame) needs $300,000 to go to the medical wing of Harvard, and is the best darn card counter known to man. Greed, lust, and immaturity block him from his goals.


Standouts:
Some great directing for a movie who's cliche-ridden script isn't worth the light of day. You really get some amazing shots, both scenery-wise, and general camera-angle/focus shots. The parties, the clothes, the visuals in general really tell the story.

The script on the other hand is painful. Full of plot holes, reduncies, and for people who don't like math, or poker, one of the most drudging first half hours you'll be forced to sit through. I literally would have gotten more enjoyment out of a school-shown documentary on anything. ANYTHING. Rather than sit through the first half hour of 21 again. Bored to tears.


Highlights:
The only scene from this film that will likely stick with me is when Jill straddles Ben in the strip club, for the first time seductively returning his interests. The ending ten minutes seems like it's going to make a lasting impression and even redeem the whole film, but then gives you a big middle finger.


Overall Rating:
At no fault of the actors or the directing involved, this movie gets 2 *'s out of 5. For a painfully long 2 hours runtime, it plays like a rushed, under-developed TV show. The script leaves a handful of minor characters who were given main character spotlight, completely unfleshed and needless. If this film was a television series instead, I think it would have been much better. Each week we could see how different characters handle the pressure of their new glamorous lifestyle, how they interact with family and friends, and still have the immaculate visuals and acting.


When You Should See It:
Why bother? I can't even answer.