Review by: Andrew Chan FCCA AACTA
Review Date: 27th February 2013

Starring: Ko Chen-Tung, Jian Man-Shu, Tsai Chen-Nan, Guo Shu Yao
Directed by: Hou Chi-Jan

Hong Kong Box Office Takings: HK$791,688

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Taiwanese cinema is having a good streak in making quality coming of age youth drama about romance and growing up. “When A Wolf Falls In Love With A Sheep” touches upon genuine emotions filmed in an ingenious manner about the aftermath of a break up and how different people deal with it. Despite the story offering nothing new or noted, director Hou Chi-Jan (“one Day”) is able to provide a fresh perspective to a tried and true material. The result is a highly engaging and entertaining experience through a wonderful turn from relatively newcomer Jian Man-Shu and more of the same from “You Are the Apple of My Eye”‘s heartthrob Ko Chen-Tung.

Ko Chen-Tung flairs much better here than his one noted performance in the recent disaster “Together”. Here Ko Chen-Tung is able to portray the innocent look and vulnerable feelings to maximum effect. His chemistry with Jian Man-Shu is easy on the eye, sensationally sweet and ultimately cute. Jian Man-Shu is one to watch for the future and is wonderful in a highly understated performance. Like Ko, Jian Man-Shu is extremely likeable, making it easy for the audience to relate, understand and root for. In the supporting role, Tsai Chen-Nan is excellent as Kuo’s boss and provides the film with some simple and light hearted funny moments, while Guo Shu Yao is lively and spirited as the money-minded salesperson.

All in all, “When A Wolf Falls In Love With A Sheep” works by staying true, simple and quite frankly innocently effective. There are some personal messages within the film and how you de-construct from this is entirely up to you. The countdown of the 100 days is fittingly portrayed and although the film departs from its simple approach by being over the top in the final few scenes, it still worked as the audience have already been won over. Still,”When A Wolf Falls In Love With A Sheep” may not offer anything new to the already saturated genre, but it manages to take a different angle and approach. The film ultimately succeeds by being genuine and simple and that’s sometimes all that the audience really wants. (Neo 2013)

I rated it 8/10