Aaron Yoo, Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth

Ben Campbell is a shy, brilliant M.I.T. student who--needing to pay school tuition--finds the answers in the cards. He is recruited to join a group of the school's most gifted students that heads to V...( read more  read more... )egas every weekend armed with fake identities and the know-how to turn the odds at blackjack in their favor. With unorthodox math professor and stats genius Micky Rosa leading the way, they've cracked the code. By counting cards and employing an intricate system of signals, the team can beat the casinos big time. Seduced by the money, the Vegas lifestyle, and by his smart and sexy teammate, Jill Taylor, Ben begins to push the limits. Though counting cards isn't illegal, the stakes are high, and the challenge becomes not only keeping the numbers straight, but staying one step ahead of the casinos' menacing enforcer: Cole Williams.

Flixster Users

73% liked it

120,259 ratings

PG-13, 2 hrs. 3 min.

Directed by: Robert Luketic

Release Date: March 28, 2008

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: July 22, 2008

Get It:

Stats: 24,994 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Your Rating



clear rating

Flixster Reviews (24,994)


  • August 22, 2008
    Despite a confusing plot twist, the film antes up the thrills & excitement of Vegas.
  • May 26, 2009
    This movie is able to be engaging and have all the excitement of a regular film while telling a true story. Great acting and overall an enjoyable production.
  • May 18, 2009
    21 was fun ,but so formulaic that I find it difficult to recommend seeing it in any other way than on cable. It offers a villian to root against, a likeable protagonist who falls into a bad situation and needs redemption, and a love interest to be won. Add all that to the blackja...( read more)ck element, throw in a pretty obvious twist or two, and you basically know what this entire movie is about. Unfortunately, there isn't much more to it than that.
  • May 3, 2009
    Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
  • March 30, 2009
    S'okay? S'alright.
  • November 7, 2009
    I loved this movie! Laurence Fishburne's best.
  • November 6, 2009
    Not as good as the book, but what movie is? Still decent performances by Spacey and Bosworth, well Bosworth just looked good. Decent rental flick but glad I didn't fork out cash for this.
  • November 3, 2009
    Cool, sophisticated youth drama brandishing a little edge. College love fighting the throws of the fast lane to deliever a memorable courtship when the smart get smarter as the brainiacs beat the system using a card counting team to better the odds at a game able to be conquered ...( read more)(this time hehe) by the advancing brain in it`s educated peak of in fo obsorbtion.ng lol
  • November 2, 2009
    Original and clever screenplay. Great cast, and anticipation throughout.
    Recommended.

    Philosophical Gambler: Yesterday's history, tomorrow's a mystery.
    Philosophical Gambler: It's all what you do in the moment, baby.

    Cole Williams: Always account for variable change.
  • November 2, 2009
    Rien qui tient la route, scenario trop bidonne. Mais bon ca reste distrayant par moments.

Critic Reviews


Comments


  • briancasey171188
    March 27, 2009
    this is by far one of the cleverest films I have seen, kevin spacey is great in it and lawerence fishburne was perfect for the role. Better them than me counting cards cause i'd get confused
  • terris85017
    March 2, 2009
    MIT student genious Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) ...turns to a card reading group of the "game" 21......to pay his tuition...based on a book by Ben Meriach, "Bringing Down the House : The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions."

    Only found this one search under my fave actor Kevin Spacey.
    Flixster - Share Movies
  • muzikbaby91
    July 30, 2008
    beautiful movie..must watch for everyone!!
  • CrazyRoggy
    May 26, 2008
    In response to Virgincrow:
    If you have ever read the book this movie is nothing like it so saying that this movie is based on true events is only because it is loosely based on a book that is an accurate representation of an extra-ordinary tale that is the book "Bringing Down The House".
  • memoriap
    April 10, 2008
    I LOVE BLACK JACK & I ENJOYED THIS MOVIE
  • virgincrow
    March 30, 2008
    to those who have used the word "predictable" to describe this movie: this is based on a true story not the figment of someone's imagination...so, they tend to stick to facts.
  • Cxzzxcv18
    March 30, 2008
    hey this is a alsome movie!
    i recamend it 2 all my frieds! :}
  • rethakira7
    March 23, 2008
    watch full movies at http://www.tvokay.com it is free for you streaming and download .check it out!! Worth for you book mark it! Enjoy !!!
  • itbegins2005
    March 20, 2008
    Huh. Looks cool. But seriously, why did they even bother changing the characters from Asian to Caucasian? Do they really think the movie would tank just 'cause the cast is Asian? ... Or did they just want to work Kevin Spacey into it?

    Crap. Now I'm torn. I hate racial prejudice... but I love Kevin Spacey.
  • JDFortuneFan
    November 23, 2007
    View the trailer here-

    http://www.movieweb.com/video/V07KdjxyAEGKRY

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Official Trailer

More Like This


Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Baby Mama
    Baby Mama (28%)
  • Casino
    Casino (56%)
  • Ocean's Thirteen
    Ocean's Thirteen (74%)
  • Confidence
    Confidence (100%)

Theater Showtimes & TV Listings


21 Trivia


  • what movie is this quote from: "The earth turned to bring us closer. It turned on itself, and it turned within us, to bring you and I together in this dream."  Answer »
  • Before Johnny Depp became a mega movie star he starred on what tv show?  Answer »
  • Including Casino Royale, how many bond films have there been altogether?  Answer »
  • Which Bond film number is Casino Royale (2006)?  Answer »

Most Popular Skin