Formula 51 (2001)
"The 51st State" (original title)

An American master chemist plans to score big on a once in a lifetime drug deal. All does not go as planned and he is soon entangled in a web of deceit.

Director:

Ronny Yu

Writer:

Stel Pavlou

Stars:

Samuel L. Jackson, Nigel Whitmey, Emily Mortimer

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Elmo McElroy
Nigel Whitmey	...	L.A. Highway Patrol
Robert Jezek	...	Priest
Emily Mortimer	...	Dakota Parker
Meat Loaf	...	The Lizard
Jake Abraham	...	Konokko
Mac McDonald	...	Mr. Davidson
Aaron Swartz	...	Mr. Yuri
David Webber	...	Mr. Jones
Michael J. Reynolds	...	Mr. Escobar
Sonny Muslim	...	Boy in Plane
Barbara Barnes	...	Boy's Mother
Junix Inocian	...	Mr. Ho-Fat
Robert Carlyle	...	Felix DeSouza
Paul Barber	...	Frederick

Storyline

Elmo McElroy is a streetwise American master chemist who heads to England to sell his special new formula - a powerful, blue concoction guaranteed to take you to 'the 51st state.' McElroy's new product delivers a feeling 51 times more powerful than any thrill, any pleasure, any high in history. But his plans for a quick, profitable score go comically awry when he gets stuck in Liverpool with an unlikely escort and his ex-girlfriend and becomes entangled in a bizarre web of double-dealing and double-crosses.

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Plot Keywords:

chemist | liverpool | drugs | drug lord | covered in blood | 

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Taglines:

In a world of shady characters and dirty deals, this is just business as usual.

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, language, drug content and some sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures [United States]

Country:

UK Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 October 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Formula 51

Filming Locations:

1302 Palmetto St, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$28,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$57,988 (South Africa) (31 January 2003)

Gross:

$57,988 (South Africa) (31 January 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alliance Atlantis Communications, Focus Films, Fifty First Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The tartan that Samuel Jackson wears is the MacGillivray Clan Hunting Tartan.

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Goofs

When Elmo and Iki are talking in the stadium box during the final match, you can see the boom mic drop in the scene for a second.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Elmo: I mean, rules are like, arbitrary, you know. Made up for people who believe in fairy tales like, you know, like Santa Claus. Hey, but not us, right? I mean, we know what's important. There's a war going on, man. A war. Ain't that a bitch?
[cop sucks his teeth]
Elmo: I just graduated today, man. With honors. Got my degree in pharmacology. I'm licensed. Look, if you write me up on this drug charge, I won't be able to practice. So what we're talking about here is, is my life. The rest of it.
[...]

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Connections

References Snatch. (2000)

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Soundtracks

"Synaesthesia (Fly Away)"
Written by Helstrip / Sherman / Newton
Published by Universal Music Publishing Ltd.
Performed by The Thrillseekers feat. Sheryl Deane
Courtesy of Neo Records Ltd.

User Reviews

Just say no to the red pills

From start to finish this film is a great laugh, it never takes itself seriously. The characters aren't consciously making jokes, what they say is just inherently funny. Be warned though if you don't like swearing in your films this isn't the one for you as just about every line contains more than one obscenity.

The film stars Samuel L Jackson as an ultra-cool, kilt wearing drugs chemist wanting to make one high-profit deal, Robert Carlyle as a Liverpool gangster and Emily Mortimer as the hottest assassin I've seen in a film.

I won't post any spoilers but if you enjoy films with car chases, funny dialogue and over the top action involving guns, golf clubs and heavy duty laxatives then this is the film for you.