NICOLE ALBERTSON
Life Editor
Following the footsteps of classic Las Vegas thrillers such as “Ocean’s Eleven,” “21” pumps up the adrenaline and excitement with its dance-pop soundtrack and fast-track special effects. Based off the true story of Ben Mezrich and his book “Bringing Down the House; The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions,” “21” is an exhilarating trip to Vegas and a conflicted story between a solemn student life in Massachusetts and a high-roller status flipping chips in Sin City.
With mixed performances from up and coming leading actors and legendary supporting characters, “21” is a light-hearted and fun film that any barely anticipating audience will enjoy.
In his first starring role since musical smash “Across the Universe,” Jim Sturgess becomes the lovable M.I.T. nerd Ben Campbell, who falls into a card counting group of students and wins millions of dollars from the blackjack tables in Vegas. But after success goes to his head, Ben’s high-roller alter ego makes detrimental mistakes that ends up destroying the group. While Ben’s character arc is minimal, Sturgess does a commendable job of showing Ben’s transformation from innocent M.I.T. good boy to a smooth-talking and devilish gambler. But despite his boyish charm and continuously flustered persona, Sturgess has a hard time holding the screen with heavyweights Kevin Spacey, as Micky Rosa Ben’s professor, and Laurence Fishburne, as security officer Cole Williams, whose experience and talent commands full attention.
Bringing down the screen as Jill Taylor, Ben’s girlfriend and card counting accomplice, Kate Bosworth tries to become a genius sex pot but falls radically short when she fails to convict chemistry with Sturgess or believable intelligence. Her attempts to seduce Sturgess and distract the Vegas card dealers only prove that her plain-Jane attitude cannot be changed no matter the make up or push-up bra.
Behind Strugess’ budding star and Bosworth’s dimming are all-star actors Spacey and Fishburne. Spacey conveys the manipulative and creepy Professor Rosa, who uses the card-counting system and recruits six students to carry out his scheme. Fishburne brings the security team to life as Cole, who holds a grudge against high-flying card counters and Micky, in particular. While their performances are undoubtedly thrilling, though cheesy as times, their talent is wasted on minimal screen time and unworthy competitors. Their dominating personalities overwhelm other actors’ presence on screen.
Director Robert Luketic embodies the Las Vegas persona of high stakes, wild lights and unlimited access by contrasting it with Boston’s dim and grey overtones. By using special effects to spin cards, scan the casino floors and flash the card counting sequences, the audience not only feels the rush of Vegas but the excitement of working above the casino’s system. Emphasizing Vegas’ golden attitude, Boston becomes a dreary town blanketed in snow and lacking in personality. While each location is exaggerated to the director’s whim, the care-free attitude of Vegas transports each viewer to past magical Vegas moments – even some that have been long forgotten.
The heart-pounding soundtrack further exemplifies the fast-paced Vegas tempo but also helps to keep the film from losing momentum. While running almost three hours long, “21” still makes good use of its time by exhibiting the best of Vegas. The soundtrack boasts sounds from classics such as The Rolling Stones and Peter Bjorn and new pop artists such as Rihanna and Junkie XL.
Although “21” may be lacking in substantial performances from notable actors, it is a fun film with high stakes and some good laughs.
04-03-2008
