Gambling pays off for 21
21
Winner, winner, chicken dinner! The exhilarating game of blackjack makes this movie about counting cards exciting and a real winner.
Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess), an intellectual mastermind when it comes to math, is a student at M.I.T, who has recently been accepted into Harvard Medical School. Top in all his classes, proving new mathematical theories, building a car that can drive itself for a competition and working in a clothing shop doesn't leave Ben with a lot of time to socialize. School has always come first and his transcript is proof of that commitment. After applying for a scholarship to Harvard, and being asked why he should get the scholarship, and what makes him stand out from everyone else, Ben really starts to think about his life, or lack there of. Certain that he will be turned down for the scholarship, all of his hopes and dreams are shattered because he can't afford to go to Harvard without that money. So, what does a mathematical genius at M.I.T do when he can't afford to pay for school? Join a secret math team, lead by a professor who counts cards in Vegas on weekends.
The team consists of their leader, Professor Micky Rosa (Kevin Spacey), the beautiful “rocket scientist” Jill Taylor (Kate Bosworth), Choi (Aaron Yoo), Kianna (Liza Lapira), and Jimmy Fisher (Jacob Pitts). Micky trains the students how to count cards, word associations and how to communicate without letting on that they all know each other, when they are sitting at the blackjack table. They spend their days as regular students, going to school, and studying, but on the weekends, they take on different identities, and enter the fast paced world of gambling in Las Vegas. Ben, who at the beginning said he would only do this until he had saved enough money to pay for Harvard, quickly becomes addicted to the thrill of gambling, having obscenely large amounts of money, and living a double life. Can Ben control his yearning for more, and get out while he is on top, or will he hit rock bottom, and lose everything?
I really liked this movie. It was exciting from beginning to end, fast paced and really captivated the audience for the entire movie. Who can't relate to the struggle of earning enough money to pay for school and living? Who hasn't wished that one day, money would just fall out of the sky and make life easier? I know that I have. Apparently, the movie was inspired by five students who actually worked as a team, counting cards and there is even a book based on their story.
Sturgiss (Across the Universe) and Spacey (Superman Returns) were both incredible. They had great chemistry on screen and really played off of each other's strengths. Bosworth (Superman Returns), who usually is good in movies, was lacking. She was plain, one dimensional and very forgettable. This was definitely not her best role so far.
Mix relatable material, with a thrilling plot and some very talented actors, and you are sure to end up with an amazing movie. I recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys fast paced movies, great actors and the idea of winning big in the city that never sleeps.
Final Words: Saw it. Loved it. How do I learn how to count cards?
Winner, winner, chicken dinner! The exhilarating game of blackjack makes this movie about counting cards exciting and a real winner.
Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess), an intellectual mastermind when it comes to math, is a student at M.I.T, who has recently been accepted into Harvard Medical School. Top in all his classes, proving new mathematical theories, building a car that can drive itself for a competition and working in a clothing shop doesn't leave Ben with a lot of time to socialize. School has always come first and his transcript is proof of that commitment. After applying for a scholarship to Harvard, and being asked why he should get the scholarship, and what makes him stand out from everyone else, Ben really starts to think about his life, or lack there of. Certain that he will be turned down for the scholarship, all of his hopes and dreams are shattered because he can't afford to go to Harvard without that money. So, what does a mathematical genius at M.I.T do when he can't afford to pay for school? Join a secret math team, lead by a professor who counts cards in Vegas on weekends.
The team consists of their leader, Professor Micky Rosa (Kevin Spacey), the beautiful “rocket scientist” Jill Taylor (Kate Bosworth), Choi (Aaron Yoo), Kianna (Liza Lapira), and Jimmy Fisher (Jacob Pitts). Micky trains the students how to count cards, word associations and how to communicate without letting on that they all know each other, when they are sitting at the blackjack table. They spend their days as regular students, going to school, and studying, but on the weekends, they take on different identities, and enter the fast paced world of gambling in Las Vegas. Ben, who at the beginning said he would only do this until he had saved enough money to pay for Harvard, quickly becomes addicted to the thrill of gambling, having obscenely large amounts of money, and living a double life. Can Ben control his yearning for more, and get out while he is on top, or will he hit rock bottom, and lose everything?
I really liked this movie. It was exciting from beginning to end, fast paced and really captivated the audience for the entire movie. Who can't relate to the struggle of earning enough money to pay for school and living? Who hasn't wished that one day, money would just fall out of the sky and make life easier? I know that I have. Apparently, the movie was inspired by five students who actually worked as a team, counting cards and there is even a book based on their story.
Sturgiss (Across the Universe) and Spacey (Superman Returns) were both incredible. They had great chemistry on screen and really played off of each other's strengths. Bosworth (Superman Returns), who usually is good in movies, was lacking. She was plain, one dimensional and very forgettable. This was definitely not her best role so far.
Mix relatable material, with a thrilling plot and some very talented actors, and you are sure to end up with an amazing movie. I recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys fast paced movies, great actors and the idea of winning big in the city that never sleeps.
Final Words: Saw it. Loved it. How do I learn how to count cards?
