At least the charm and charisma of Jim Sturgess and a suitably seedy turn by Kevin Spacey make this predictable story considerably less irritating than it might have been.

Sturgess plays Ben Campbell, a brilliant working-class kid from Boston whose head for figures makes him a perfect candidate for the secret circle of card sharks run by MIT professor Micky Rosa (Spacey).

Campbell, who has always been both an outsider and a workhorse, quickly grows accustomed to the good life savored by Rosa and his team members, including the super-gorgeous Jill (Kate Bosworth).

Unfortunately, the film gets harder to believe as it wanders further away from Mezrich's book. Campbell's geeky buddies seem to have gotten lost on their way to the HAROLD AND KUMAR sequel, while the subplot involving a fading but feisty loss-prevention specialist (Laurence Fishburne, smashing up anything that gets in his way) is pure Hollywood BS. Campbell and his crew also have laughably bad taste when it comes to disguises: Their cheap wigs and loud clothes would hardly go unnoticed by security.

Should have waited for the DVD. But that's my opinion.

What did you think?

Great review Max!

I checked this movie out and agree with you on waiting for the dvd. I was really disappointed by the whole thing.

I read the book and saw Mezrich's interviews on the subject and frankly Max, it didn't live up to the book at all.

J.B.