“21” is loosely based on the New York Times best seller “Bringing Down the House.” Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) is a 21-year-old senior at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology preparing to graduate and move on to Harvard Medical School. The problem is tuition is $300,000.

Ben has to write an essay based on a life experience, but Ben, a bookworm, doesn’t have any. One day he’s approached by his professor Mickey Rosa (Kevin Spacey) to join a special club. The club is a group of students Mickey has picked and trained to count cards in the game of blackjack. Every weekend the club goes to Las Vegas casinos to make as much money as possible without getting caught. Eventually, Ben and everything else gets out of control.

It had an “Ocean’s 11” feel to it with everything that was going on. The acting performances from the younger cast could have been better. I really enjoyed Spacey and Laurence Fishburne’s performances.

The story, however, seemed to be a little bit clichéd, but the twist in the ending really saved the film.

It’s a neat film to watch, and the fact that it’s a true story makes it even better. The idea that the names were changed to protect the innocent adds to that interest. The Ben Campbell character is based on Jeff Ma, who makes a cameo in the film as a blackjack dealer. Overall, it’s a fun film to watch.

Rating: 3 1/2 out of 4