anderzzz-1
I have recently seen several "Asian gay dramas". Formula 17 is one of the best.An observation I have made is that several of the Asian gay dramas are full of guilt. This is nothing unique to the Asian gay dramas, just think of Brokeback Mountain. But I have seen a few too many films that end in death and general misery, where the conclusion seems to be that being gay is just pain, suffering and misery. Perhaps this is a realistic description in some of the more conservative Asian societies, but if suicide is the only way out for the protagonist of the film, then that is a bad film in my opinion.Formula 17 is a much more hopeful film. The protagonists have their struggles and problems to deal with. However, these problems are in good sense more everyday. The characters cover a wide and not too subtle spectrum of being gay, and the story is both fun and cute. Yes, it is a bit sugar coated, but why not? Also, the film offers some nice photo of Taiwan. After I saw this film, I wanted to go there.Highly recommended, especially if you want to see a good Asian gay drama with more fun and less depression.
mgr81760
I just really enjoyed this film. It's young, it's innocent, and it carries none of the angst that typifies so many gay films.I do think that some miss the trees for the forest in this film. It's more than just sex: it speaks very much to friendship--the characteristic non-sexual male bonding that appears throughout so much Chinese cinema--that rises above and beyond being gay or in love. This is a theme that is repeated throughout the film, and shows itself in everything from Yu's immediate acceptance that Tien will of course be staying with him, to each boy's attempt to comfort Yu in his breakup with what they understood best, CC with gossip, Alan with his weights, and Tien Tsai with his idealism--it continues in Tien's immediate declination of Richard's initial offer to him because, "my buddy's heartbroken, I'm going home"..and through to, and especially, Jun and Richard.There is a scene in the movie, in which Tien runs into Bai and Jun on the elevator, watch who Jun watches, then watch as both he and Tien reach for the button panel at the same time, and the metaphor is all too clear. Yet, throughout the film, Jun's unspoken feelings for Richard are kept suppressed by him, even to the point of giving Richard up when he realizes that the latter really does love Tien Tsai. Those feelings reveal themselves, however, in the elevator scene, and in the twisted smile he gives Richard three times: first when he comes upon Richard and Tien-Tsai in the shower together, second when Richard is unable to kiss him, and third when he asks Richard the, for him, fateful, question: "Do you want to see him again?" and Richard's answer, "You know I do". The guy who plays Richard doesn't get enough credit for carrying his part so well.Finally, while I would agree with Natalie above that Duncan Chow turns in some very good scenes--those in which he is interacting directly with Tien...the two really did have wonderful chemistry together...their scene on top of the building at night was really nice...and, yes, the countdown scene was sweet as hell...the heart of the show is Tony Yang as Tien. He comes across exactly as he should: a sweet kid who is shocked that his internet paramour doesn't want to know him, just do him...shy yet heated up by a sexy man he sees displaying interest in him...unsure of himself in dealing with Richard, urgent in his first kiss, and the morning after scene, where he is just remembering the night and exploring Richard's bedroom, can't help but bring back memories to any guy who's ever felt those emotions. I think it was that scene which won him the Newcomer's Award...gay or straight, you'd have to be a statue to be untouched by the clarity of what he projected at that moment.Even the music is perfect for this film...I don't understand a word of Chinese, but it doesn't take much to understand what's going on...Rock Bang is the theme song for Tien Tsai, there's a really beautiful set of guitar chords that speak to Richard and Jun's relationship, there's a sad song the notes of which speak more to lost love than the words ever could...it was just really all very well matched.Just a nice film to enjoy for lighthearted fun. As one reviewer noted, "if the melodramatic conclusion doesn't leave you with a silly smile on your face, it's probably because you're not human." We all need silly smiles now and then. This film delivers.
lia00027
This is the second time I watched gay's movie, the first time is 'the question of love' (France movie) and I feel that both of this movies are really good. Even though the plot is not so well made but the story line is really good looks exactly same like yaoi (gay) manga (comic) from Japan.The story was about a country boy who came to Taipei after did his final exams, in Taipei he met friends and fell in love with no. 1 gay playboy (Duncan) in town. Duncan also liked him so they end up having one night stand but Duncan left him without any real explanation and made him broken heart. Soon after Duncan realized that he loved this country boy and tried to find him. Anyway it's a happy ending film beside it's a comedy which makes me really like this movie.Yeah the plot is not as strong as France movie but this movie kinds of sweet and pure and the soundtracks also nice.I recommend this movie to anyone who likes to read yaoi manga, see gay's movies or just want to see something good.
