21

21 (2005)

21 is based on Ben Mezrich's book Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions.

Blue-collar scholar Ben Campbell, whose doubts that he'll win a scholarship to Harvard Medical School compel him to join a secret, M.I.T. gang of math whiz kids.

Under the silky but chilling command of a math professor, Jim and the others master card counting.

The team lives a humdrum existence during the week, but on weekends in Sin City, the students are rolling in cash, going to exclusive clubs, and feeling on top of the world. Despite all that success, Ben feels ethically compromised, plays it both ways where fun vices are concerned. On the one hand, it feels so good; on the other we know it's wrong.

Stars: Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, Laurence Fishbourne.

Star rating: * * *