Critic Reviews

• Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader

  The shift from social portrait to domestic soap opera practically negates the democratic message of the first section, but Yang's stylish filmmaking is impressive throughout.

• Joe Leydon, Variety

  While attempting to chart the evolving parameters of a romantic triangle over two decades of Taiwan's tumultuous societal upheavals, Yang fails to adequately explore either the personal or the political aspects of his drama.

• Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times

  In wanting to make a film that is both about sweeping societal change and small-scale personal relationships, Yang has missed on both counts.

• V.A. Musetto, New York Post

  "Girlfriend Boyfriend" starts as a comedy, but quickly turns into a soap opera with too many subplots.

• Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times

  Though Mr. Yang paints a colorful portrait of a country grappling with new freedoms, his real triumph is a moving and complex love triangle that will configure and reconfigure into adulthood.

• Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

  Most vivid in its early years, as we see the students bursting with energy and promise.

• Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International

  Taiwanese nationalism provides a weird backdrop to a moody romantic triangle that stretches out over three decades.

• Monica Castillo, Boston Phoenix

  Complicated but compelling, the film also struggles a bit with Yang's erratic direction, but that flaw mirrors the indecisiveness of Liam himself, who is played engagingly by Joseph Chang.

• Rob Humanick, Slant Magazine

  Ya-che Yang's prodigious command of his material suggests an intuitive understanding of film's ability to evoke sensations beyond sight and sound.

• Don Groves, sbs.com.au

  Taiwanese drama offers a romantic triangle with a novel twist.

Read all 10 critic reviews