When a Wolf Falls in Love With a Sheep

“When a Wolf Falls in Love with a Sheep” is a stylistic love story told from the perspective of two young students in Taiwan. It’s really unfortunate that the second act of this film isn't stronger because the camerawork and editing have taken a run-of-the-mill story and, for the most part, disguised it as a great film. As is, this film by director Hou Chi-jan gets 2.5 Yaps.

Tung is a lazy teenager in the Taipei school district who has no particular purpose and is seemingly preoccupied with his girlfriend (think John Cusack in “Better Off Dead”). Before the opening credits are over, Tung’s girlfriend has broken up with him (via Post-it note of all things) and he is forced to find a new identity.

Tung gets a job at a copy shop and soon meets a young lady named Yang, an illustrator and student at the local “cram school” on Nanyang Street. Yang is somewhat of an underground celebrity, famous for her whimsical cartoon-sheep, which she draws in the corner of all of the school’s exams. It’s not long before Tung — the wolf — begins drawing pictures back to her and the entire school takes notice of this love story.

Although very visually pleasing, the film seems to lose its pacing shortly into the second act; there is virtually no buildup to the third act where these characters finally identify themselves to each other.

It's predictable but fun, visually pleasing but slow-paced.

2.5 out of 5 Yaps.