Hollywood thrives on drama, and the glamorization of the MIT blackjack team was the goal of the film. While 21 did much to glamorize Mezrich’s book and the MIT blackjack team, the true story behind this gifted group of college blackjack players is somewhat lost in the translation to the big screen. The 2008 film starring Kevin Spacey and Laurence Fishburne was largely panned by the critics, but audiences found it to be entertaining and 21 grossed more than $157 million dollars worldwide. The movie 21 was based on the book Bringing Down The House by Ben Mezrich.
Even people who are unfamiliar with blackjack and gambling know the story of the MIT students, thanks in large part to the popular movie 21. The MIT blackjack team has become famous worldwide for their success at beating the game of blackjack in the casinos of Las Vegas.
