21

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino card games in our country and much of its appeal comes from the fact that it’s purely a game of skill. While a little bit of luck is involved, the allure for card counting has dated back for quite some time. Players looking for an upper hand employ intricate tactics to cash in and in the latest film 21, an in-depth look at this process is given center stage and done so quite well.

Loosely based on a true story (in real life all the kids were Asian), 21 is centered around the brightest minds in the country and how they used card counting to take Vegas for millions. Now, while card counting is not illegal, the stakes are still extremely high. Keeping the count is daunting in and of itself and staying one step ahead is a must. In laments terms, it’s pretty much a “high risk, low reward” business but the payoff can only be measured in wealth. Quite a bit of money can be accumulated if done to perfection but luck has a funny way of running out. I guess it all comes down to the luck of the draw and according to an old adage, the cards never lie.

Now, I’m not much of a card player but one thing I do know is that it doesn’t come off so well on screen. Watching people play cards is like watching paint dry but other than that minuscule detail, I really enjoyed the movie for what it was. Honestly, I expected a little bit more but I was pretty satisfied with what I got. Not to take anything away from their performances but the actors were on point with their roles and it felt believable. All in all, I’d say the movie was solid all around but could’ve been better. Still, you can’t win ‘em all but this hand will do if played the right way. Unfortunately, seeing that I don’t care too much for cards, I could care less but to each its own I suppose.

Rating: 2 ½ inkblots out of 5