the pace of this movie be quite slow . it take about 70 minute to get katie to china ( which we know that she will ) and leave 30 minute to wrap thing up . the storyline be so predictable that you know everything after about 5 minute . nothing surprise you . i guess that the movie be a come of age movie but the movie be full of stereotype that be quite over the top representkatie a beauty that realize that look and boy and shop isn not everything . she realize that she can feel and see the real world . touch . the mother high strung and nervous and scream mother ( wow very innovative ) that need take care of by a strong man . the father patient and always understanding and take care of the incapable woman . the boyfriend that only want to get into her pant . the comedian clown chinese guy that doesn not know how to speak english properly and make a laughing stock . think hollywood drop those character in the mid fifty . the nurse that at time know everything how to get around in china that in the next moment be a carbon copy of the mother i. e. a woman who cant handle the situation or know anything . the deformed chinese girl that with the help of u westerns get help and become a beautiful girl . because in china ( a third world country accord to the film ) do not have anything and hence need our charity . gah and wake up and smell what you be shovel . sure that there be some poverty in china but the portrayal of the aid from western country ( read usa ) be so shallow and happy end ish that it be sad and revolt . shanghai ( where the movie be set ) be the most expanding and evolve city in the world at the moment . the chinese father that be so nice and goodhearted that in the end have one wish . to be a cowboy with a white hat . the teacher ( sean astin ) that have this really heart rip story ( not ) that he tell without feel . why sean . why . etc etc . it be difficult to actually find a real person in the entire movie . this be nothing but a feel good movie for american below age 15. if you want to learn anything about the world watch e. g. hotel rwanda instead . for a good life story or come of age movie i suggest you watch the italian cinema paradiso that win the best foreign film academy reward some year back . the only nice thing in the movie be the small town scenery that truly capture some ( not all ) of the beautiful chinese country side . i have be there and see some of it .