A master chemist, a Liverpool fixer, and a drug that is pure suggestion
In short: The 51st State, also known as Formula 51, follows an American chemist who travels to Britain to sell a potent new synthetic drug. What begins as a high-stakes criminal negotiation quickly devolves into a chaotic web of deceit, explosive confrontations, and a final, clever twist involving the power of suggestion.
Conceived by screenwriter Stel Pavlou in 1994 while working in a Liverpool cafe, the film draws thematic inspiration from the city's historical role in the slave trade, reimagining those dynamics within the modern drug underworld. Originally envisioned as a smaller project with a £1 million budget, the production eventually secured $28 million in financing from Canadian and British sources. The film, directed by Ronny Yu and starring Samuel L. Jackson as the chemist Elmo McElroy, was shot primarily on location across Liverpool, utilizing landmarks like Anfield stadium and the River Mersey.
The plot centers on McElroy’s invention, POS 51, a synthetic substance marketed as 51 times more potent than existing drugs. However, the film subverts expectations when McElroy reveals that the drug is merely a placebo, with the acronym standing for 'Power of Suggestion.' This revelation occurs during a climactic confrontation at a football match, where the antagonist, 'the Lizard,' is killed after ingesting an explosive cocktail disguised as the drug. McElroy ultimately escapes, reclaiming his agency by purchasing a Scottish Highland castle.
Critical reception of the 2001 film was polarized. While reviewers like Roger Ebert dismissed it as a disjointed farce, others, including critics from Empire and the BBC, praised its stylized energy and departure from traditional British cinema tropes. Despite the involvement of high-profile talent and a global release, the film struggled commercially, grossing $14.4 million against its $27 million budget. Today, it remains a curious artifact of early 2000s action-comedy, notable for its unique blend of Liverpool grit and international production ambition.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The 51st State
- Also: Wikidata — The 51st State · CC0
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