Jack of the Red Hearts

Greetings again from the darkness. Being the parent of an autistic child carries challenges that require incredible patience and love and extraordinary effort. Writer Jennifer Deaton and Director Janet Grillo (Fly Away, 2011) deliver an insightful and interesting look at these challenges through the eyes of two parents, their autistic daughter, their teenage son, and the in-home caregiver they hire.

The film begins with a glimpse of what appears to be two different worlds: a street wise teenage girl helping her younger sister "escape" from a foster home, and two beaten down parents of a young autistic daughter. Soon enough, these two worlds collide and Jack/Jacqueline/Donna is hired by the parents to be a live-in companion for their daughter. The parents are so desperate for help that they fall for the savvy con being played by Donna.

None of what happens is surprising … Donna turns out to have a knack for helping autistic Glory, the parents begin to experience a bit more happiness, the teenage son develops a crush on Donna, and the cloud of truth is constantly hovering. Even though some of the scenes are bit corny, for the most part the story is told in a grounded manner that allows us to connect with all of the characters – conveying the pressures, stress and periodic moments of breakthrough.

The acting is strong throughout. Taylor Richardson (A Most Violent Year) is exceptional as the autistic Glory. She is believable and never goes beyond what fits for the character. Famke Janssen and Scott Cohen are solid as the parents, and Israel Broussard shows real promise as teenage Robert/Bobert. Donna/Jack's younger sister has limited screen time, but Sophia Anne Caruso (Brigitta in TV's live version of The Sound of Music) makes it work. Shouldering much of the film is Anna Sophia Robb (Bridge to Terabithia, The Way Way Back) as Jack/Donna. She does her best work in the second half of the film, as her initial tough-girl stint is a bit shaky. However her scenes with Glory are outstanding, and it's a pleasure to watch her slowly turn over a new leaf.

As strong as the cast is, much of the credit goes to director Grillo (ex-wife of David O. Russell) who has a real understanding of the world of autism, and keeps us focused on importance of family, the need to be loved, and the rewards of finding one's place in the world.

There's smoking in this picture. Smoking is bad, absolutely insane a picture could be made like this. And we're supposed to think this scumbag smoker thief is a hero and good for her sister because...? She lied into looking after an autist?

Jack of the Red Hearts (2015) was directed by Janet Grillo. It stars Jenny Jaffe as "Jack," who changes her identity so that she can be hired as a live-in assistant by a family with a child with autism. She needs the money, and she needs a safe place to stay. She has no knowledge of how to work with a child with autism, but she is savvy and she learns fast. OK--some of the scenes were a little syrupy, but there was just a small suspension of disbelief required. Most of the scenes looked real and powerful to me.

The movie is fascinating in many ways--it has great acting, especially by Jenny Jaffe, and it doesn't shy away from presenting the heartrending difficulties a family faces when they are raising a child with this disability.

My compliments to director Grillo, and to Taylor Richardson, who plays Glory, the child with autism. Grillo makes the action real, including showing us what Glory sees and hears as she confronts the frightening world around her. Taylor Richardson is an amazing actor. She doesn't drop out of character for a moment. She has autism, and she doesn't let you forget it.

We saw this film at the wonderful Dryden Theatre as part of the High Falls Film Festival in Rochester, NY. It will work well on the small screen.

A stray girl and an autistic child: I'm sure most of you can figure out what kind of film this is. But doesn't matter: what matters is only how convincing is the story, how endearing are the characters and how much, in the end, you'll care for their destiny...

And, according to me, this movie is OK: the story flows with a good narrative balance, AnnaSophia Robb will surely charm you, Scott Cohen will show what a gifted musician he is, by the way, and everything will go fine, from the beginning to the end.

I'm not inclined to give it more than a 7 (out of ten) only because I'm old and I have already watched too many movies. But besides that, this is a quality film and a very good cast.

I have seen many kinds of these films and I have to say that this film is a must watch!

First of all there is a well-made plot story with a family who wants someone to keep their autistic child (babysitting) and help him improve in his life (school,family relationships). After a lot they found one girl (18 years old) named Jack(Jacqueline) who had a criminal record and tried to trick them to get the job cause she wanted to take the custody of her little sister which was in reformatory for minors.

About the characters: I have to say the cast is awesome! The two stars of the film AnnaSophia Robb and Taylor Richardson have the talent despite their age and I believe they also show it in this movie. Personaly I love AnnaSophia Robb I have seen every movie of her and I have to say that is a very beautiful and talented actress.

I promise you that this movie will not disappoint you. But you will have to be ready about the strong feelings and the dramatic atmosphere that will make you cry sometimes but this is the point of this film to make you Feel!

Have a nice time!!!