Formula 17 (2004)

22% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(2,567 ratings)

A young man learns some lessons about life and love the hard way in this frothy gay-themed romantic comedy-drama from Taiwan. Tien (Tony Tang) is a gay teenager who decides to leave the small town where he grew up and strike out for the bright lights of Taipei. As it happens, several of Tien's old… More A young man learns some lessons about life and love the hard way in this frothy gay-themed romantic comedy-drama from Taiwan. Tien (Tony Tang) is a gay teenager who decides to leave the small town where he grew up and strike out for the bright lights of Taipei. As it happens, several of Tien's old friends have already made the trip, including Yu (King Chin), who tends bar at a gay club; gym rat Alan (Jimmy Yang); and aggressively style-conscious CC (Dada Ji). Tien's old friends are eager to show him the town when he arrives in Taipei, but when he sets his gaze on handsome Bai (Duncan), they all warn him away, telling him Bai is a notorious player who is sure to leave him with a broken heart. However, the fates keep bringing Tien and Bai together, and in time they end up spending the night. True to form, Bai abandons Tien the next day, and soon Tien's pals begin hatching a scheme to get Bai back in Tien's arms for the sake of his happiness. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: D.J. Chen
Written By: Rady Fu
Genres: Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 19, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Nov 29, 2005
Studio: Strand Releasing

Critic Reviews

V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Neophyte director DJ Chen's formulaic film leaves little doubt.
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
The only real surprise about this cheerful gay romance is that such a silly movie was such a smash hit in its native Taiwan.
David Rooney, Variety
A fresh, sweet-natured affair with an attractive young cast.
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
A silly-sweet, gay romantic comedy aimed primarily at teenage and college-age audiences.
Akiva Gottlieb, Village Voice
Mark my words: There is no way an innocent like Tien and a Meat Loaf-style heartthrob like Bai could ever make a love thing happen.
David Noh, Film Journal International
Presents such a barrage of grotesquely mugging, swishy stereotypes, coupled with a total lack of wit or style, that mere minutes into it, you are groaning and peering at your watch.
Don Willmott, Filmcritic.com
It's total escapism, and, for a movie about losing one's virginity, surprisingly chaste
, E! Online
Not for the cynical, this is one of those flicks where love happens at first glance and the cad has a heart of gold.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Panta O

A 2004 Taiwanese film which was directed by Chen Yin-jung (’Â‰f—u). It stars Tony Yang (—k—C”J), Duncan (ŽüŒQ’B), King Chin (‹à‹Î), Dada Ji (‹GG‘S), Jimmy Yang (—kr–¾), and Jason Chang (’£‘åûã). Poor atempt to make some kind of a gay romantic comedy about Chou T'ien-Tsai, a… More
A 2004 Taiwanese film which was directed by Chen Yin-jung (’Â‰f—u). It stars Tony Yang (—k—C”J), Duncan (ŽüŒQ’B), King Chin (‹à‹Î), Dada Ji (‹GG‘S), Jimmy Yang (—kr–¾), and Jason Chang (’£‘åûã). Poor atempt to make some kind of a gay romantic comedy about Chou T'ien-Tsai, a romantic Taiwanese male who takes a trip to visit an online boyfriend in person for the first time. This film was banned in Singapore because it "portrayed homosexuality as normal, and a natural progression of society" and it bothered me that no female was in any of the roles, like that's normal! I'll have to say that this sad work is deffinitely not art work - it's just a movie to make gay community feel better for the things they are doing. Some kind of Gay propaganda that being with a man is fun for young guys... I'll stick to the old values, and in this case agree with the Singaporean government!