Loading ...21 makes me ask the question, ” Can simple math really get me that new Prada bag?”
I’m not a gambler, so when my friend, who does gamble, asked me to see 21, directed by Robert Lucketic of Legally Blonde fame (or infamy depending on your movie tastes) as part of our “Day of movies”, I was hesitant. 21 stars Jim Sturges (Across the Universe), Kate Bosworth(Superman Returns) and Kevin Spacey(Most recently from Superman Returns as well). After Sturges (Ben Campbell) impress Spacey (Micky) with his math skills, Micky recruits him to join his elite team of students who beat the system in
Las Vegas on the weekends by counting cards at 21 tables.
Let the tale of excess begin.
From a purely mindless enjoyment standpoint, 21 does deliver. Even for someone like me, who doesn’t really go for the glitzy, slick Vegas lifestyle. I found myself not only vicariously enjoying the bright lights, fast money and the luxuries that money provides, but also caring about the inevitable life-lesson Ben is sure to learn.
Oh yes, this movie has all of the conventional trappings of the genre. The nerdy guy and the hot, albeit, nerdy girl (Bosworth as Jill), betrayal between friends, sex and violence (light in nature, it is a PG-13 movie after all). Yet, the movie still comes off as exciting. There’s a montage in the film that had me wishing I were in Vegas, spending my ill-gotten gains on Prada, Gucci and double gulp, Vera Wang.
Having said that, 21 doesn’t raise the bar in anyway. It’s not new and there were times when I thought, “I’ve seen this exact exchange in another movie before.” most notably when Jill goes to convince Ben to join the team. If you’re looking for something completely fresh, don’t see 21 or you’ll be sorely disappointed.
The performances by Sturges and Spacey are pretty good. Ben manages to be sympathetic even when his character isn’t likeable. Spacey is on his game, although he’s grossly underused. After leaving the theater, I found myself wondering why he decided to do this movie. His presence in the movie was what made me think the content may have been a little deeper. Much like Spacey, Bosworth isn’t given much to do. Her character is set up as a prize to be won, but we don’t really learn that much about her. Other than her obvious hotness, the audience isn’t shown who this girl really is and why Ben should want her.
In the end, I’m recommending this movie for its fluff factor. If you want to watch something light, slick and cool, make the time to see 21. If you’re looking for something showing what gambling can do to a person’s life, rent Rounders (Edward Norton),or you could develop your long-standing desire to put it all on the table for a chance to hit it big. Or is that just me?
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