Seventeen Years (1999) User Reviews

An interesting look into life in China, though also a bit slow for some

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 15 January 2007]

This is an interesting tale that is shown almost documentary style. The film begins with a blended family living with China. The husband and wife don't get along all that well and some of this contention is because they both have teenage daughters from a previous marriage. The daughters also don't particularly like each other and the "good" one actually is pretty cruel for making it look like her step-sister is a thief. However, when the step-sister attacks and accidentally kills her, the story takes a dramatic twist.

The film changes to 17 years later. Here we see that the surviving sister is a model inmate in a prison that seems much more like an indoctrination center. I found this pretty fascinating. While this sort of program could easily be used for evil (such as political prisoners), such strong and consistent messages and classes on "correct" thinking and behavior do offer an alternative to the traditional Western-style prisons--that often have inmates leave worse off than when they entered them. In this case, the girl did deserve to be punished but she was also rehabilitatable--mostly because she truly was sorry for what she had done in a moment of anger at age 16.

Because she is so committed to change, she and several other model prisoners are given holiday furloughs. However, given her past, it's obvious she is concerned her mother and step-father don't want her to return. What happens next is slow to unfold but very satisfying, as a worker from the prison helps the lady to find her parents (they'd moved) and renew their relationship--if it is still possible.

Wonderful

[kmukh_73 · 9/10 · 22 April 2005]

Perhaps one of the best (Chinese) movies I have seen in recent years. Very realistic and subtle as well as crisp storyline, cinematography, screenplay as well as direction. Well, may be I understand the situation and the fact of the story better, as I am from India and we (asians) almost have the same community and family values/priority (though different language and culture). It coincides with lots of family wherein, the children are bound to study hard and slipping partiality from parents intrudes on the child who is more obedient and study-bound. These facts might not match with the western children as well as parents.

The brilliant performances on the part of parents as well as the expressions of the prisoner and the prison-captain really captivates ones hearts. The story itself is so powerful on human psychology that the film and the story are pieces of course to study and analyze. This is what we still deserve from Hollywood movies, at least bring some of the burning issues in front of viewers eyes.

I just saw it today and I am simply spellbound; I recommend this film highly. One of the best Chinese movies since Farewell My Concubine. I don't understand really, after having such a wonderful movie why 'House of Flying Daggers' etc are sent for Oscar nominations.

I would give a score of 9/10

One of the Best Films I Have Ever Seen in My Life

[djoneill-1 · 10/10 · 4 February 2007]

I personally have found that some of the best films ever made are from China. Perhaps being a student of Chinese philosophy and being familiar with works like the writings of Chuang Tze has inclined me to be taken in by the timeless character of this story, like so many others. So many Chinese films are great because they are about timeless, enduring aspects of our being human and would have been relevant 3000 years ago as they are today, and will be 3000 years from now. And to me what makes and will always make a story great is exactly this: the human spirit as it unfolds in the process of interaction with others and its environment.

I cried in parts of this film because of the sheer mastery of several actors of such intense and profound magnitude being able to carry between themselves what seems like the entire universe of the human spirit and psyche. No props needed. No special effects. I wish there were more films like this.

Can't get this film out of my head

[revolutioner · 26 May 2003]

Loved everything about it. You immediately identify with the family, then the two characters that become the focal point in the film. Beautifully shot, it becomes a road picture of sorts, a fascinating study of time and how things change along with it. It's one of those rare films that stays with you for a long, long, time. This is one of many foreign films that plays the festival circuit but doesn't get a general release in the U.S. I saw it in 1999 and thought that I'd have to be satisfied with the memory. There would never be another opportunity to see it again, but amazingly, after six years, it was actually released on DVD!! On a rainy day, pop this one into the VCR/DVD and just enjoy a very special story in a wonderful little film.

It's a very good movie, you should see it

[yi358 · 9/10 · 18 June 2006]

This is one of the movies banned by China. I rented this movie out of curiosity as to see why it was banned.

This is a very good movie, it makes you think about parenting and playing it fair to your children. The family is complex since the father has a daughter from prior marriage and the mother also has a daughter from a prior marriage. After this movie, I thought about parenting. The parents need to be sensitive to each child's development. One of the daughter is academic, obviously with high IQ and excelled in school. However, this high IQ daughter has pretty low EQ. She is not a team player and she is ambitious and eager to have a successful and more luxurious life in the future. The other daughter is not doing as good in academics. She is proud of her working class background, more outgoing and unlike the other daughter, she is a team player who wants to contribute to her school's extracurricular activities, etc.

In Chinese culture, people place too much emphasis on academic achievement. I think if you watch this movie, you would think about a child's ethical and moral standards as important attributes in a child's development as well.

Without giving away too much of the movie, I highly recommend people to see this movie. You won't regret it.

truly moving and engaging.....

[eza3411 · 10/10 · 16 July 2006]

When enjoying a film outside of the Hollywood genre, I must avoid the trappings of comparison which will ultimately elevate my perception of the quality of the movie. Once I was immersed in Seventeen Years, it was impossible not to come to the conclusion that Hollywood is betraying the viewing public with mindless waste, poor actors and little or no texture to their films..... The concepts of family angst, betrayal and bittersweet redemption are revealed through a wonderfully talented cast, playing out their roles with beautiful subtlety and believability. The story is heart wrenching yet encouraging as the guard (Li Bingbing) and her charge (lin liu) travel on a leave from prison to the home of her mother and step father, the father of her step sister whom she accidentally killed. The interaction between the two women (li/lin) is thoroughly heartfelt and you are unable to resist lin's tragic character. This film should have been nominated for more individual recognitions but it was politically incorrect in it's homeland China so as we all know, Hollywood only rewards it's own and Seventeen Years is an incredible treasure that many are not aware of outside the international community. I highly recommend and adore the vision of Zhang Yuan and this work of cinematic art. Please see it and share this with those who love a quality movie.

Good perspective on contemporary Chinese society

[Guy33134 · 9/10 · 4 November 1999]

While working within the system, Yuan Zhang's (or is it Zhang Yuan?)latest film 17 YEARS gives the Chinese totalitarian system a human face. The title, referring to 17 YEARS of separation, also refers to an important year (age) in two of the main characters' lives. It is Zhang Yuan's best work to date, and quite possibly the most realistic, impartial portrayal of China's totalitarian system in recent years. I highly recommend it.

Masterpiece on describing contemporary China

[zzmale · 10/10 · 3 December 2003]

I would not want to waste time here on plots and other comments about the story, which you can find by looking at other posts. What I want to point out here is that the Chinese title is as equally philosophical as the English one:

17 years implies the 17 years of totalitarianism, after which humane side is finally appearing. The Chinese title has the literal translation as Going home on New Years, and it needs more explanation:

In the Chinese tradition, the new year is the time when all family members get together, reflection on the story of the protagonist being released from jail to go home to unite with his parents.

Seek This Movie Out

[anthony_retford · 10/10 · 19 May 2011]

I got this movie from the local library. I have lived in China for over 4 years in different cities. My wife is Chinese, so is my son. He just got his visa so we will be together very soon.

I rate this movie up with To Live with Gong Li. It should be required viewing for Hollywood producers and directors. From the opening I was drawn in and remained fixated on every movement and most articles (all of which are familiar to me). The story is very powerful and, as another reviewer wrote, can be from a long time ago or a long time in the future.

The water bottle was interesting when the father got more hot water. When I first went to China the bottles had large stoppers in them and you would have to tip and pour them. Later the siphon bottle came to make life a little easier.

I was mesmerized by Lui Lin (the correct way to list her name). I was amazed by the actions and caring of the prison guard in making sure Tao Lan did get home despite her great resistance to moving anywhere near home. She displayed great wisdom for someone so young. By the way, she said she was almost 28 and should anyone question why she was unmarried it should be noted that in China many women do not marry until their late twenties.

I could not stop crying too. The emotion was so strong, coupled with my remembrances of China. Really, really ask your library, Netflix or anyone else for a copy of this movie.