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.

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.

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.

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.