Matrixiole
Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.
Jenna Walter
The film may be flawed, but its message is not.
Staci Frederick
Blistering performances.
Ken Mocabee
When I read the premise of this film, and some of the other enthusiastic reviews, I was quite excited about it. I really enjoy Guy Pearce, and this sounded like a winner. Unfortunately, this movie is flawed in so many ways. SpoilersFirst, we see Mei Mei growing up in an orphanage, and we learn she has a sponsor, Dean Randall, who has been providing for her, and writing to her. But this is glossed over so quickly, and it would have been nice to see how that relationship developed, even though he was making up his life story. We get snippets, but there is no depth to that story line. Mei Mei never really develops much as a character. She seems very one- dimensional and lacking complexity. And overall, the characters are a collection of caricatures that are largely clichéd and melodramatic. There are so many story lines that are just unnecessary and pointless. It seems that the writers didn't have the courage to let the two main characters interact and develop. Instead, we are served up a silly plot line where she is put in danger, and Dean has to rescue her. Pearce does a good job with what he has been given, but he wasn't really give much of a script to work with, and we are left at the end with no real insight into what motivated him to sponsor this girl he never knew.This could have been a terrific little film, and they just plain missed the opportunity.
perkypops
It is incredible how hard it is to write a good story and yet this film takes the simple premise of an orphaned Chinese girl sponsored into schooling by a benefactor she has never met except via postcards and letters and turns it into an achingly good two hours of entertainment.Mei Mei, Little Sister (Zhu Lin), is a sixteen year old whose life in a Chinese Orphanage has been supported by regular payments made by Dean Randall (Guy Pearce). Mei Mei is training to be the conductor of a children's choir who are to tour in Australia which is where the bulk of this film takes place.The plot and screenplay are developed with such simple brushstrokes you know there is a masterpiece being painted before our eyes. And this film doesn't let you down through all its wonderful and deft touches. Even the violent scenes are made to fit the delicate canvass the whole is painted upon, and we are never driven to the need for explicit artistic license.The soundtrack too is so finely tuned to the images, with some breathtaking choral singing at appropriate moments. The acting is strong, brilliant from Zhu Lin and Guy Pearce, and only occasionally overstated by the support. The script is just wonderful but then the message from this film is wonderful too.Recommended viewing. Nine out of ten.
Jon B
I hadn't planned on watching a film but I stumbled across this when channel surfing. Obviously this isn't a blockbuster but it's a movie I recommend watching if you get the chance. Why? well because it's something different. It has an unusual story and plenty of emotion. We follow Mei Mei (a sponsored orphan) and her search for her dream family but her dream and the reality are completely different. However, her good caring nature shines through as she tries to make the best of what she discovers. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and each main character has an interesting and unique story.I couldn't decide between a 6 or 7 for this movie so a 6.5 it is. Obviously with this not being a mega funded blockbuster there are going to be one or two things wrong with it but I'm not going to point out faults as I feel the positives far more out weight the negatives. If you get a chance, watch this movie!
nicole_ward
I'm not too sure why I decided to watch this film, but I am so happy that I did! This film is so emotional and meaningful; it's just so beautiful! It's not a big blockbuster smash hitting film, so if that's what you are looking for then you will be disappointed! However, if you want to see a really stunning film with such an amazing storyline, then I recommend you watch 33 postcards.Guy Pearce plays an excellent role in this film and carries his character through perfect.The meaning behind this film is what I liked so much about it. It just makes me think about life and how amazing it is. For a film to get so much of an emotional response out of me is great. This film needs to be watched and given the credit it deserves.I give 10/10 on the vote for 33 postcards, mainly because of the beauty. The work and emotion that has gone into this film as well as the emotion that has came out makes it such a worthy film of ten stars.Wow, please give this film a chance, you won't regret it. I promise.
