Entertaining, but forgettable.

Rating: 6/10 (30 March 2008)

"For the first time in my life, the world made itself easy."
The second Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) says yes to joining a small group of MIT students on their "weekends, and Christian holidays" trips to Vegas, you pretty much know where 21 is going. Ben is accepted into Harvard Medical School, only doesn't have the cash to pay for school. Why a bank loan is never mentioned is never explained, but anyway. He's warned to count cards, not gamble. Think Ben won't succumb to the glitz and glamour, get a big head, only to hit an eventual downward spiral and need redemption? Presenting your first movie.
21 is good-looking pulp who's main drawback is it's no better than it absolutely has to be. Entertaining though it may be, we're familiar with the rise and fall of a kid given the opportunity of a lifetime and squandering it. Quite. Another stumbling block, for me, would be Jim Sturgess. The muddled accent doesn't help, but I got used to it. He does a couple of things right, namely a scene where Jill (Kate Bosworth) comes into the store where he works, and Ben gets kind of breathless and stammery. Who wouldn't? But, I never once bought his evolution into arrogant prick  especially considering how short-lived it is. Nor was it very believable what happens to make Ben angry enough to go and get rebellious and continue playing at a cold table. Come to think, his reluctance to get on board with the MIT guys in the first place isn't clear, either, since Ben obviously has the math skills, could use the money and wants life experience. We never get a sense that Ben wouldn't entertain the idea of breaking the law (even though the whole card counting business isn't technically illegal), through his actions. Maybe these are more script issues, but Sturgess never fully sells it. He stays kind of bland and just... there.
Better is Kevin Spacey, as the professor jockeying for Ben's participation. His opening classroom scene is fabulous. Mickey Rosa is a former blackjack player, now with a roving eye for students disciplined enough to steal "under the radar". If Spacey's given an off performance recently, could someone remind me? Other highlights: Josh Gad, as Ben's best friend. He's obviously channeling Jonah Hill, something awful, but it works ("Does the way I use it."). Liza Lapira has perfect timing with her "now, I need a drink" line. And, Kate Bosworth standing against the window in one of Sturgess' hotel rooms, curtains drawn, is surely the reason man created cinema.
I enjoyed 21 while it played. Is what it is. Won't be revisiting, any time soon.