21

21 (2008)

  • 35% of critics liked it
    (162 reviews)

  • 73% of users liked it
    (328,827 ratings)

Director Robert Luketic adapts Ben Mezrich's best-seller Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions to tell the true-life tale of six genius students who used their brains to beat considerable odds. Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) may be shy, but his… More

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PG-13, 2 hr. 2 min.
Directed By
Robert Luketic
Written By
Peter Steinfeld, Allan Loeb
Genres
Mystery & Suspense, Drama
In Theaters
Mar 28, 2008 Wide
On DVD
Jul 22, 2008
Sony/Columbia Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

    If only director Robert Luketic and screenwriters Peter Steinfeld and Allan Loeb had not opted for glitz. As filmmakers, they're playing for very low stakes.

  • J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

    The students are so blandly written this never builds any suspense, though it probably has some value as an empowerment fantasy for debt-ridden collegians.

  • Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

    Although it's definitely a fictionalization of a true story, they get the essence of this insanely crazy double life that these kids led as they were breaking the bank in Vegas.

  • Jim Emerson, Chicago Sun-Times

    Inspired by the real-life story of the M.I.T. students who took Las Vegas casinos for millions, 21 has been reshaped to fit a simple movie template -- and it's nearly as much fun as watching an insurance professional compute actuarial tables.

  • Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

    A movie with an irresistible premise that ultimately collapses around the whole issue of motivation.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Anthony L


    And the award for most annoying collective cast of young people goes to.... Honestly, I'll let Jim Sturgess off slightly as he has redeemed himself since but watching the rest of the cast in this painful 'biased on a true story drama' nearly made me pull my hair out.… More

  • Martin S


    I think this movie was pretty impressive. It's a pretty advanced movie. Nice to see Kevin Spacey mentoring all theese young unknown actors.

  • Conner R


    21 is just a genuinely fun movie that never tries to be more than it is and always keeps you interested. Most of this is due to the multi-talented British Superstar, Jim Sturgess. He takes what could've been a typical and flat character and morphs it into someone who's so… More

  • Manu G


    Inspired by the true story of five students who changed the game forever. Saw it again! Well it was a very good movie surprisingly so.You kinda think you know what's gonna happen but somehow it changes somehow. Great movie! Good cast, very recommended to all. Ben Campbell is a… More

  • Wildaly M


    Decent caper flick.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

See full cast

Trailers & Clips

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