21 Film - Blackjack at the movies

21 is a blackjack film that all fans of the game will enjoy from the opening shot to the final credits. Starring Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, Laurence Fishburne and Kevin Spacey, 21 tells the story of a group of card-counters who take Vegas by storm.

The film 21, from Columbia/Sony Pictures, is inspired by the true story of Jeff Ma, an MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) student who used the mathematical principles of card counting and a clever system of code words to win an astonishing amount of money in Vegas casinos. Jeff’s escapades were written about in a best-selling book called Bringing Down the House by Ben Mezrich. In the book he was referred to as Kevin Lewis, and in the movie he is called Ben Campbell (played by Sturgess).

Without giving away too much of the plot, 21 takes us on a blackjack rollercoaster ride as maths whiz Ben gets involved in a card-counting scheme in order to raise $300,000 that he needs to fund his education. Kevin Spacey plays Professor of mathematics Micky Rosa, who tutors Ben and a few other students in the technicalities of winning at blackjack by counting.

Although card counting isn’t technically illegal, it is frowned upon by casinos (because it works), and the Vegas casino managers don’t take well to Ben and his friends fleecing them night after night. Laurence Fishburne plays casino enforcer Cole Williams, who is onto the gang and intends to put an end to their activities. As you might expect, a cat and mouse adventure ensues as the counters strive to stay one step ahead of Williams and the casino industry that he represents. Pub quiz players should note that Jeff Ma himself has a cameo as the dealer at a Planet Hollywood blackjack table.

The 21 film is every bit as exciting and inspirational as a blackjack enthusiast could want it to be. Our favourite card game and a brilliant counting assault on the casinos, together with an entertaining smattering of sex and violence, make this one of our favourite movies of the year.

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