Watch 33 Postcards

In the heartwarming drama "33 Postcards" we meet Mei Mei (Lin Zhu), a young orphan from China who's been living with a Catholic orphanage since her parents died in a fire. Mei Mei is eagerly awaiting the letter days where she receives postcards from her Australian sponsor, Dean Randall (Guy Pearce). Randall is a worker in a maximum-security prison, and he's never met Mei Mei, but he finds solace in helping her.

One day, Mei Mei is selected to go on a cultural exchange to Australia with her orphanage director, Father Dorn (Terry Serio). She's excited to see the world outside of the orphanage and cannot wait to meet Randall. When she arrives, she's surprised to discover that Randall is not the affluent, kind-hearted man she envisioned him to be. Rather, he's a flawed man who's serving a prison sentence for manslaughter.

At first, Randall is surprised and shocked to meet Mei Mei, but soon he warms up to her and becomes her friend, introducing her to the wonders of Australia in his own way. They go fishing, ride roller coasters, and try different foods. Mei Mei is ecstatic with all the new things she's experiencing, and Randall is grateful for the renewed sense of purpose she's brought to his life.

As Mei Mei's visit to Australia continues, she encounters a young Chinese immigrant, Xiaoyi (Elaine Jin), who she tries to help. In the process, she ends up traveling to Sydney, where she gets lost trying to find the hospital where Xiaoyi's brother is hospitalized. When Randall and Father Dorn discover that Mei Mei is missing, they set out on a frantic search to find her, but they quickly realize that it's too late. Mei Mei has been tricked and abducted by people who are up to no good.

Now, Randall and Father Dorn have two missions, save Mei Mei and make things right. They must use Randall's criminal gang connections and Father Dorn's knowledge of the Chinese culture to navigate the dangerous underworld of Sydney's Chinatown to ensure Mei Mei is returned to her rightful place at the orphanage. Together they use their own shortcomings to overcome the challenges they face, and in doing so, they remember the things that really matter like the power of kindness, the importance of friendship, and the hope that life can have after it has been broken.

The movie, directed by Pauline Chan, showcases the importance of respecting cultural differences and using compassion to bridge the gaps that may exist between different people. It also highlights the power of personal redemption and forgiveness. The performances by both Lin Zhu and Guy Pearce are exceptional. They provide a brew of emotions and humor which makes the film highly engaging.

In conclusion, "33 Postcards" is a touching drama that focuses on the power of connection, no matter how unlikely it might be. It's the story of two people who come from vastly different backgrounds who find a common bond and make a positive difference in each other's lives. It's a tale of redemption that sends a powerful message about what's ultimately important in life. If you're in need of a feel-good movie that champions the power of friendship, compassion and kindness then "33 Postcards" is highly recommended.

33 Postcards is a 2013 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 33.