MovieChat Forums > The 51st State (2002) Discussion > Just WHY is this movie named 'The 51st ...

Just WHY is this movie named 'The 51st State'?


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NO... I'm not asking for the meaning of the term. I'm long familiar with the term and the notion underlying it from The The's song, if not from before that.

I'm asking what the hell it has to do with the movie. I like the movie. It's fun. It's a bit less competently done movie aiming at Ritchie's style from Snatch and LS&2SB, but it's fun, nonetheless. So I'm not complaining about the movie in any way.

I'm saying that I don't see what the connection is with the notion of the UK's *supposed* cultural/political subordination to the USA. I know some movie titles pretty much get pulled out of some marketing exec's butt, but most Brits seem to not find the title lacking in a connection, from what I read in the forum comments. I didn't see anyone snarking at it, however, either.

So, by all means, anyone from the UK -- please take the time to explain. Thx.

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NO... I'm not asking for the meaning of the term. I'm long familiar with the term and the notion underlying it from The The's song, if not from before that.

I'm asking what the hell it has to do with the movie. I like the movie. It's fun. It's a bit less competently done movie aiming at Ritchie's style from Snatch and LS&2SB, but it's fun, nonetheless. So I'm not complaining about the movie in any way.


I do not have the slightest idea. The movie was release here in the USA under the title "Formula 51", which was the name of the product that was stolen from the main character.






Luv

Kades

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Really not sure. My best, my only guess, is that it might mean something along the lines of "being on cloud 9", "in seventh heaven" and cet. In other words, pop a pill and one is in the 51st state (of ecstasy/bliss/blah blah blah)".

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what the two people posted over me. Both true.

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It's relevant to the film in several ways. Firstly, it's to do with Felix's political views. He hates the USA and everything it stands for. Secondly, it's to do with the fact that the 'wonderdrug' is purported to be 51 times stronger than anything else on the scene. Thirdly, it's a throwaway line from The Lizard, who says something along the lines of Britain ain't nothing but the 51st *beep* state.

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[deleted]

There are FIFTY U.S. States - so it's often said that somewhere else, if annexed by America, would become the 51st State.

This film implies that Britain becomes a drug dependency of the U.S. - hence becoming the 51st State of the USA

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2 levels of meaning i think

51st State refers to the close ties between uk and us
The term surfaced during the Thatcher/Regan years.
Refers to the rather one-sided relationship between the two.


Also the drug he invented: doesn't he say something like it's 50 times better than all the other drugs already on the market. So it will bring you to the 51th state (of mind)...

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