21 (2008)

Director:

Robert Luketic

Writers (WGA):

Peter Steinfeld (screenplay) and
Allan Loeb (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

28 March 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Inspired by the true story of five students who changed the game forever.

Plot:

"21" is the fact-based story about six MIT students who were trained to become experts in card counting and subsequently took Vegas casinos for millions in winnings.

Plot Keywords:

Card Counting | Casino | Profanity | Blackjack | Cheating At Cards

Awards:

1 win

US Showtimes:

(register to personalize)

Cast

Jim Sturgess	...	Ben Campbell
Kevin Spacey	...	Prof. Micky Rosa
Kate Bosworth	...	Jill Taylor
Aaron Yoo	...	Choi
Liza Lapira	...	Kianna
Jacob Pitts	...	Jimmy Fisher
Laurence Fishburne	...	Cole Williams
Jack McGee	...	Terry
Josh Gad	...	Miles Connoly
Sam Golzari	...	Cam
Helen Carey	...	Ellen Campbell
Jack Gilpin	...	Bob Phillips
Donna Lows	...	Planet Hollywood Dealer #1
Butch Williams	...	Planet Hollywood Dealer #2
Jeffrey Ma	...	Planet Hollywood Dealer Jeff
Frank Patton	...	Planet Hollywood Floor Manager
Steven Richard Vezina	...	Red Rock Dealer #1
Chaska T. Werner	...	Red Rock Dealer #2
Kyle Morris	...	Red Rock Dealer #3 (as Kyle D. Morris)
Frank DeAngelo	...	Red Rock Host
Marcus Weiss	...	Red Rock Valet
Anthony DiMaria	...	Hard Rock Doorman
Christopher Michael Holley	...	Philosophical Gambler (as Christopher Holley)
Scott Clark Beringer	...	Big Shot (as Scott Beringer)
Terasa Livingstone	...	Russian's Girlfriend
Jeffrey J. Dashnaw	...	Russian Mafioso (as Jeff Dashnaw)
Colin Angle	...	Professor Hanes
Supriya Chakrabarti	...	Professor
Bradley Thoennes	...	Warren
Alice Lo	...	Chinese Woman #2
Sally Livingstone	...	Chemistry Review Girl
Henry Houh	...	Chinatown Dealer
Frank Chen	...	Chinatown Host
Spencer Garrett	...	Stemple
Celeste Oliva	...	Airport Screener
Tom McGowan	...	Husband
Ruby Hondros	...	Wife
Christian Mello	...	Drunk Dude #1
Gregory Seymore	...	Drunk Dude #2
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jessi Shuttleworth	...	Friend
Christopher Tranchina	...	Flight Attendent
Kris Williams	...	Friend of Jill
Seba Johnson	...	Airport Attendant (uncredited)
Lyralen Kaye	...	College Mom (uncredited)
Ernell Manabat	...	Red Rock Doorman (uncredited)
Alexandra McDougall	...	Student (uncredited)
Billy Silvia	...	Casino Security Team (uncredited)

Directed by
Robert Luketic

Writing credits (WGA)
Peter Steinfeld		(screenplay) and
Allan Loeb		(screenplay)
Ben Mezrich		(book "Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions")

Produced by
William S. Beasley	....	executive producer
Dana Brunetti	....	producer
Michael De Luca	....	producer
Ryan Kavanaugh	....	executive producer
Brett Ratner	....	executive producer
Kevin Spacey	....	producer

Original Music by
David Sardy

Cinematography by
Russell Carpenter		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Elliot Graham

Casting by
Lauren Grey		(as Lauren Gray)
Francine Maisler

Production Design by
Missy Stewart

Art Direction by
James F. Truesdale		(as James Truesdale)

Set Decoration by
Tracey A. Doyle

Costume Design by
Luca Mosca

Makeup Department
Marleen Alter	....	makeup artist
Kelly Belmont	....	assistant makeup artist
Gloria Pasqua Casny	....	key hair stylist: Las Vegas
Elizabeth Cecchini	....	key hair stylist
Lucia Mace	....	hair department head
Susan Romero	....	makeup artist
Trish Seeney	....	key makeup artist
Sherryn Smith	....	additional makeup artist

Production Management
Sharyn Shimada-Huggins	....	production supervisor
Bryan Thomas	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
David Eric Chapman	....	second second assistant director
Sonja Christoph	....	dga trainee
Mark S. Constance	....	second second assistant director
John M. Morse	....	second assistant director
Justin Muller	....	first assistant director
Scott Rorie	....	second second assistant director

Art Department
Bobby Anderson	....	picture car coordinator
Eric Bryant	....	graphic designer
James Champoux	....	set dresser
Jonathan Champoux	....	carpenter
Danica Chipman	....	set buyer
Melissa Cooperman	....	assistant props
Mick Cukurs	....	set designer
Noah Dubreuil	....	on-set dresser
Sean Duhame	....	graphic artist
Elizabeth Fisher	....	art department intern
Jennifer Gerbino	....	assistant property master
David Gulick	....	property master
Jane Gulick	....	assistant property master
Joseph Kearney	....	construction coordinator
Cameron Keiber	....	assistant props
Morgan Kling	....	set dresser
George Lee	....	set designer
John 'Butch' McCarthy	....	key greens
Janine Moore	....	art department coordinator
Gloria Murphy	....	assistant property master
Lisa Nagid	....	assistant property master
Katrina Parsons	....	construction auditor
Colby E. Peterson	....	art production assistant
Scott T. Pina	....	gang boss
Paul Richards	....	leadman
Ricky Riggs	....	charge scenic
Mark Rodriguez	....	set dresser: Las Vegas
Timothy Rowcroft	....	set dresser
Christopher Sawtelle	....	constructor
Meaghan E. Stone	....	props
Theodore Suchecki	....	general foreman
Chris Sullivan	....	art department assistant
Casey Van Maanen	....	set dresser
Christina Ann Wilson	....	art director: Las Vegas (as Christina Wilson)

Sound Department
Gary C. Bourgeois	....	sound re-recording mixer
Michael J. Broomberg	....	foley artist
Brian Copenhagen	....	boom operator
Laura R. Harris	....	dialogue editor (as Laura Harris Atkinson)
Gary A. Hecker	....	supervising foley artist
Howard London	....	adr mixer
Bob Newlan	....	dialogue editor
Greg Orloff	....	sound re-recording mixer
Eric Thomas	....	sound utility
Eric Thompson	....	adr mixer
Michael D. Wilhoit	....	supervising sound editor
Wade Wilson	....	sound effects editor
Scott Wolf	....	sound designer
Peter Gleaves	....	adr mixer (uncredited)
Fred Peck III	....	sound mix technician (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Skip Burrows	....	special effects specialist
Jeremy Dominick	....	special effects
Scott Dwyer	....	special effects technician
Matt Kutcher	....	special effects supervisor

Visual Effects by
Chris Bankoff	....	lead compositor: Sway Studio
Brent M. Bowen	....	digital compositor
Daniel Buck	....	digital artist: Sway Studio
John Cairns	....	digital compositor: Gray Matter FX
Keely Colcleugh	....	previsualization artist
Harry Eisenstein	....	digital compositor
Myung Kim	....	compositor
Colin Liggett	....	lead compositor
Margaux Mackay	....	visual effects supervising producer
Gray Marshall	....	visual effects supervisor
Rob Meyers	....	digital artist: Sway Studio
Christopher Nichols	....	visual effects supervisor: Sway Studio
Madhava Reddy	....	digital intermediate
Greg Tsadilas	....	visual effects: Sway Studio
Laura Zentil	....	visual effects previs producer

Stunts
Richard Bucher	....	stunt double
Freddie Hice	....	stunt coordinator
Casey O'Neill	....	stunt double (stunt double)
Jason Rodriguez	....	stunts
Scott Workman	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Frank Arant	....	best boy electric
Will Arnot	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Will Arnot	....	steadicam operator
Scott Barnes	....	moving light programmer
Kirk Bloom	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera, Las Vegas
Erik L. Brown	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera
Alex M. Cacciarelli	....	motion control video assist
Tony Campenni	....	dolly grip
Rick Cardillo	....	rigging electrician
Mark J. Casey	....	rigging electric best boy
Scott D. Davis	....	rigging gaffer
David E. Diano	....	camera operator: "a" camera
Michael DiIeso	....	key rigging grip
Joshua Dreyfus	....	set electrician
Dru Dunnaway	....	rigging electrician
Eric Goddard	....	rigging grip
Dan Hutchinson	....	rigging electrician
John R. Kaplan	....	grip
Michael Kowalczyk	....	camera production assistant
JD Leedham	....	additional rigging grip
Len Levine	....	gaffer
Lance Mayer	....	libra head technician
Starrs McBurney	....	second assistant camera
James R. Mitchell	....	generator operator
Michael Peterson	....	electrician
Andres L. Porras	....	camera operator
David Puopolo	....	grip
Patrick Quinn	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Lance Rieck	....	remote camera technician
Jorge Sánchez	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera, Las Vegas
Bryce Shields	....	video assist
Philip Sloan	....	key grip
Eric Swanek	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Travis Trudell	....	rigging electric
Paul Wilkowsky	....	best boy grip
Fred Young	....	electrician

Casting Department
Michele Berumen	....	casting assistant
Matt Bouldry	....	casting assistant
Deanna Brigidi	....	casting associate
Elizabeth Chodar	....	casting assistant
Billy Dowd	....	extras casting
Peter Dudgeon	....	casting assistant
Marisa Kushner	....	extras casting assistant
Ariana Natale	....	extras casting intern
Carolyn Pickman	....	location casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Johanna Argan	....	costumer: Kevin Spacey
Caroline Errington	....	costume supervisor
Molly Grundman	....	key costumer
Parrish Kennington	....	set costumer
Vanessa Knoll	....	set costumer
Sara Mills-Broffman	....	costume buyer
Kaite Phillips	....	wardrobe assistant
Andrew Poleszak	....	assistant costume designer
Barbara Dalton Rotundo	....	costume production assistant
Taryn Walsh	....	key costumer

Editorial Department
Zahida Bacchus	....	digital intermediate producer
Douglas A. Degrazzio	....	digital imaging technician
Mike DeGrazzio	....	digital imaging technician
Liza D. Espinas	....	first assistant editor (as Liza Espinas-Regnier)
Mark Hartzell	....	assistant editor
Stephen Nakamura	....	digital film colorist
Reza Amidi	....	digital conforming and opticals (uncredited)
John Hirota	....	digital intermediate editor (uncredited)
Jim Passon	....	color timer (uncredited)

Music Department
Carlton Kaller	....	music editor
Jason Ruder	....	music editor
David Sardy	....	music supervisor

Transportation Department
Howard Bachrach	....	transportation captain
Bob Carnes	....	transportation captain
Steven Docherty	....	transportation dispatcher
William O'Brien Sr.	....	transportation coordinator
William O'Brien	....	transportation coordinator
Dan Romero	....	transportation coordinator
Michael Sean Ryan	....	transportation co-captain
Roger Wooge	....	transportation

Other crew
Kenneth Aliaga	....	second team
Chris Avanzo	....	additional craft service
Shannon Ayers	....	production assistant
Billy Benner	....	accounting clerk
William Benner III	....	accounting clerk
Justin Bergonzoni	....	production assistant
Ian Campbell	....	assistant: Mr. Brunetti
Julie Carideo	....	production coordinator: Las Vegas
Robin Citrin	....	location manager
Emily Davis	....	key second assistant accountant
William DeCoff	....	stand-in: Jack McGee
Joe Deingenis	....	additional craft service
Ramses Del Hierro Ericstam	....	production assistant
Kenneth Donaldson	....	additional set production assistant
Brian 'Dunny' Dunn	....	production assistant
Mark Fitzgerald	....	assistant location manager
Anne C. Ford	....	production accountant
Ethan Fox	....	assistant craft service
Kenny Gallagher	....	first assistant accountant
Justin George	....	production secretary: Las Vegas
George Goodwin	....	second assistant accountant
Charles Harrington	....	location manager
Brendan Harvey	....	production assistant
Marc W. Havener	....	set production assistant
John Healey	....	production assistant
Marie Healy	....	key assistant location manager: Las Vegas
Drew Holt	....	production assistant
Paula Jack	....	dialect coach: pre-production
Michael Judge	....	location scout
Robert Konowalow	....	production assistant
Kristin Koziarski	....	production assistant
Shari LaFranchi Blakney	....	production coordinator
Elizabeth MacSwan	....	set production assistant
Donovan K. Martin	....	production assistant
Jack McCullough	....	set medic
Holly McGreevy	....	key second assistant accountant: Boston
Isaac Mejía	....	key set production assistant
Katie Murphy	....	travel coordinator
Cory C. Myler	....	assistant production coordinator: Las Vegas
J.P. Ouellette	....	staff set production assistant
Dave Ozug	....	location assistant
Paul Pawlowski	....	post-production accountant
Christopher Plummer	....	location production assistant (as Chris Plummer)
Luke Poling	....	assistant production coordinator
Alan D. Purwin	....	aerial coordinator
Bobby Ravanshenas	....	second assistant to director
Kim Ronstadt	....	payroll accountant
Gary Sauer	....	dolly pusher
Mike Sime	....	video and computer playback operator
Keleigh Slaight	....	production coordinator: Studio
Tracy Spiegel	....	key craft service
Cami Stratton	....	second assistant accountant
Cid Swank	....	unit publicist
John Trujillo	....	layout board
Bernadette Valer	....	production assistant
Mimi Watstein	....	production assistant
Mark Zecca	....	pre-production secretary
Harvey Blanc	....	stand-in: Kevin Spacey (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Michael De Luca Productions
• Relativity Media
• Trigger Street Productions

Distributors

• Buena Vista Sony Pictures Releasing (BVSPR) (2008) (Russia) (theatrical)
• Columbia Pictures (2008) (USA) (theatrical)
• Sony Pictures Releasing (2008) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Sony Pictures Releasing (2008) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Sony Pictures Releasing (2008) (Singapore) (theatrical)

Special Effects

• Proof (pre-visualization)

Other Companies

• Chapman / Leonard Studio Equipment  cranes
• Chapman / Leonard Studio Equipment  dollies
• Columbia Records  soundtrack
• Pfaff Protective Group  security
• Technicolor Digital Intermediates  digital intermediate
• Wildfire Studios  ADR recording facility

Also Known As:

21 - The Movie (USA) (promotional title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some violence, and sexual content including partial nudity.

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

Finland:K-13 | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia) | Ireland:12A | South Korea:15 | Greece:K-13 | UK:12A | New Zealand:M | Germany:12 | Netherlands:12 | Canada:G (Québec) | Poland:15 | Italy:T | Brazil:14 | Canada:14A (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Australia:M | Sweden:11 | South Africa:13V | Argentina:13 | Singapore:PG | USA:PG-13 (certificate #43290) | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Company:

Michael De Luca Productions

Trivia:

MIT wouldn't allow filming on its campus, so the movie was actually filmed at Boston University.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: In the montage scene showing the "extravagant" lifestyle of the group, the film cuts to scenes at the blackjack table, inside of clubs, etc. It's supposed to happen in or around the Planet Hollywood Casino/Hotel, but many of the locations shown are from Red Rock Casino game room and the club "Cherry". Red Rock is about 12.5 miles northwest of the Strip, surrounded by houses and deserts.

Quotes:

Kianna: Dude, I lost track 20 cards ago.
Micky Rosa: Don't call me dude.

Movie Connections:

References The Godfather (1972)

Soundtrack:

Music is Happiness

Just as predictable yet enjoyable as the game depicted

Considering the risky pleasure generally associated with gambling and the seductive thrill of watching a heist or scam unfold, it should come as no surprise that 21, a film which combines the two aforementioned premises should excel at being enjoyable. And while the film may be very familiar ground to anyone with in any experience with Ocean's Eleven style crime capers, and the majority of the film's plot points verge on being almost laughably predictable, it is executed with enough exuberant flair to make it worthwhile in the midst of its formula.

A slow start gives the necessary exposition as to how a thoroughly ethical young MIT student (Sturgess)'s desperate need for money to attend Harvard medical school leads him to join a team of mathematical geniuses trained in blackjack card counting who routinely rip off Las Vegas casinos during weekends between class. However, this opening proves overlong, overly predictable, and largely unnecessary, dragging far too much before plunging into the film's real fun as Sturgess and his team are engulfed by the seductive glamour of Vegas and the thrill of the huge monetary takes. Some judicious editing, clearing away such unnecessary subplots (such as a robotics competition with Sturgess' tiresomely stereotypical nerdy friends) could have resulted in a far more streamlined and faster paced film.

Some viewers may take offence to the "Hollywoodizing" of the MIT team, with team members of different ethnicity largely shoved to the background in favour of the typically gorgeous Caucasian leads, a disconcertingly common practice in modern day cinema. However, the flashy MTV style cinematography and editing ably capture the engrossing spectacle of Vegas, and once the film gets going, it would be difficult to deny the sheer enjoyment of being swept up in the heady rush of quick wealth and all of its hedonistic trappings.

The film's quality cast add credulity to the frequently underwritten characters they portray. Jim Sturgess once again impresses as the ethical math prodigy slowly corrupted by a world of superficial glamour, his endearing charm putting an intriguing enough take on the "troubled but well meaning hero" archetype. As one might expect, Kevin Spacey effortlessly steals the show as the charismatic but ruthless professor managing the MIT card counting team, and Spacey's easygoing yet commanding presence is a profound boost to the film. Kate Bosworth contributes a typically flat performance, but given her token 'inevitable love interest' role, she fails to detract much from the film's overall quality. Lawrence Fishburne adds class, much needed dramatic weight and moments of grim humour to his antagonistic burly head of casino security, gradually catching on to the MIT team's scamming.

While the age old adage of 'style over substance' certainly holds true here, 21 may essentially epitomize the modern Hollywood crime caper film, but the formula hasn't quite run dry enough to overly detract from the enjoyment factor. The film's snappy visuals and strong casting are mostly enough to make up for a largely uninspired and frequently weak script. However, fans of similar works will not be disappointed, and for those willing to forgive the film's frequent delving into the wells of convention and accept entertainment over profundity, 21 should prove an ideal watch.

-7/10