"We're counting cards, we're not gambling. We're following a specific set of rules and playing a system"
- 36:51
The Screenwriters and Producers
Peter Steinfeld, Allan Loeb, and Kevin Spacey
One particular theme that the creators and actors of 21 aimed to emphasize with their adaptation of the true story was that of the underdog's triumph, where the MIT blackjack team are the underdogs and are able to undermine large corporations (the casinos) through their calculated blackjack strategy [1].
The team's strategy, particularly highlighted through the quote above, also serves to emphasize the aspect of computation in the movie, where individuals' choices are systematically governed as opposed to being made on emotional whims. The screen writers took great measures in the making of this film to call attention to this computer-based style of thinking, which is a concept that loosely connects to our societal conclusion regarding automation. Utilizing computers to make decisions can help more objective decisions as well as more accurate or profitable results, like those observed used card counting versus the typical well known gambling losses.
The Director
Robert Luketic
Surveillance plays a role in the development of the plot in 21 (2008). Shortly after the first introduction of the card game blackjack in the movie, a new biotech software security system is mentioned in the context of being the ultimate card counting identifier that will essentially stop the practice of it in casinos. While the casinos at the beginning of the movie do not have any such system currently implemented, it is made evidently clear by the multiple mentions, that the director wanted to stress that the introduction of this software would be the end to this team of card counters.
The advantage of card counting on the older security camera setup is that the control room can not constantly monitor each camera, and they must pick between cameras. There is a rollback feature for this system, but unless something is reported, they are unaware of potential card counters, hence why the MIT team frequents casinos with this older technology. The director points out in an interview how the old security system was flawed, and how he viewed it as security that could be circumvented [2]. The lack of a robust security system leads to more card counters, stressing the flaws of human-based security, providing automated security as a clear more efficient alternative.
Difference from Real Life
Book Author - Ben Mezrich
Consultant - Jeff Ma (part of the actual team)
One thing about the movie that stuck out to our group was the time period it was set in and the addition of certain technology to enhance the story. For example, the MIT blackjack team started in 1979, which was before smartphones were invented. The team extended their winnings into the 21st century, which is the period the director chose, allowing the implementation of more complex technology such as the biometric security system and technology like smartphones. It is possible that if smartphones were around at the time of the MIT teams start in the 80s, then the gambling would have been done on online sites, and the risk of getting caught would be minimized, as there would be no way for the system to determine if you are counting cards. Online card counting is possible, and would have had lower risks than portrayed in the movie [3]. Here, the main reason the movie maker strayed a little from the truth was to make the movie more exciting, as at the end there are action packed scenes, which keep the viewers' interest.
Conclusion
The intent of the movie was to glorify the thrill portrayed in the book on the real events that transpired with the MIT Team. Jeff Ma, the real life 'Ben' said that the movie press conference and release in Vegas was more dramatic than the actual card counting itself, indicating events in the movie were not as realistic as the portrayal suggests [4]. The automated technology proposed in the film was also not real, highlighting the director's intent of looking towards future computational advancements, as concern is repeatedly shown regarding losing jobs to automation. It was also significant to pick Vegas as the location, since it is at a high risk for losing jobs to automation [5].
References
[1] Amazing People, "21 Movie | Kevin Spacey Talks about the film | Behind the Scenes" (Youtube, 2015). Accessed 3 May 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygI1DF9F2pE&ab_channel=AmazingPeople
[2] Chuck the Movie Guy, "Robert Luketic interview for 21" (Youtube, 2008). Accessed 1 May 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4HBM6a9e8I&ab_channel=chuckthemovieguy
[3] Casino.org, "How to count cards in Blackjack: Card Counting Trainers & Guide" (Casino.org) Accessed April 30, 2021. https://www.casino.org/blackjack/cardcounting/#:~:
text=Can%20You%20Count%20Cards%20in,making%20it%20a%20bit%20tricky
[4] Berton, Justin "Hollywood deals Jeff Ma a good hand with '21'" (SFGate, 2008) https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Hollywood-deals-Jeff-Ma-a-good-hand-with-21-3221945.php
[5] Keller, Heather, "Robots could kill many Las Vegas jobs" (CNN, 2018). Accessed 3 May 2021. https://money.cnn.com/2018/01/29/technology/las-vegas-automation/index.html