Formula 51 (2001)

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, Robert Carlyle, 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 | prologue | 2000s | 

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Taglines:

Have a Nice Trip

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

They changed the name of this movie to "The 51st State" from "Formula 51" in the U.K.

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Goofs

When they are in the box at Anfield (the Liverpool football club stadium) their box looks out across the centenary stand, suggesting that their box is in the main stand. However, there are no executive boxes in the main stand, the box would have to have been located in the centenary stand, making the view from their box impossible.

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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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Crazy Credits

Shortly after the credits start there is a short segment with Elmo on the Golf Course outside the castle on the post card

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Connections

Featured in HBO First Look: Formula 51 (2002)

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Soundtracks

Take the Money and Run
Written by Steve Miller (as Miller)
Published by Sailor Music - All rights on behalf of Sailor Music
Administered by Windswept Music (Ldn) Ltd.
Performed by Run-D.M.C. (as RUN DMC)
Courtesy of BMG Entertainment Intl (UK & Ireland) Ltd.

User Reviews

Carlyle, Jackson and Mortimer being awesome

This movie was excellent.

Elmo (Samuel L.) is a chemist who travels to Britain to market a new drug, meeting Felix DeSouza (Robert Carlyle) and Dakota (Emily Mortimer) in his adventures.

I'd seen Emily Mortimer in The Kid, but that hadn't prepared me for what an excellent actor she is. In the 51st State, she plays an assassin who needs to make one more kill before she's free of her contract. She's a strong female lead who doesn't have to spout off feminist lines or practise 'girl power' to be kickass - she just is.

Robert Carlyle fits right into the role of a loveable larrakin whose main aim is to watch the soccer. Samuel L is a cool mofo as usual, playing a genius with an interesting line of work.

The plot was interesting, the one liners hilarious and the action entertaining, and with some smaller roles played by Rhys Ifans and Meatloaf, I can't fault this movie at all.

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:

$27,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,817,719, 20 October 2002

Gross USA:

$5,204,007

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$12,881,605

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