Jack of the Red Hearts (2015) is a drama and family film directed by Janet Grillo and written by Jennifer Deaton. The film tells the story of Jacquelyn Ferguson (“Jack”), a young con artist who tricks a desperate mother into babysitting an 11-year-old autistic girl. Jack is a runaway teen living on the streets and needing money and stability to rescue his foster sister, Coke. Jack discovers that he has a unique ability to bond with Glory and becomes close to Glory's mother, Kay, while positively influencing her.

The movie also features romantic sparks between Jack and Glory's 17-year-old brother Robert. But Jack's past catches up with him, and when the truth comes out, Jack must make a difficult choice about whether to save his own life or someone else's. The film stars AnnaSophia Robb (Jack), Famke Janssen (Kay Adams), and Scott Cohen (Mark Adams). It was released in the United States on May 6, 2015.

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Plot

The movie Jack of the Red Hearts tells the story of Jacquelyn, better known as Jack, a young con artist. Jack lives on the street and is on the run from his supervisor. His goal is to stabilize and earn enough money to get his 11-year-old sister, Coke, out of foster care. To this end, Jack settles into a suburban home as the live-in caretaker of 11-year-old Glory, who has autism.

Jack has a unique ability to connect with Glory, which surprises him. As Jack positively influences Glory, so does the family, especially Glory's mother, Kay. Kay and Jack, two struggling individuals, become close, and Kay finds in Jack someone she can talk to. There is also an emotional connection between Jack and Glory's 17-year-old brother Robert. These developments unfold in a touching and surprising process in which a group of wounded people begin to heal each other. But Jack is caught; the truth is revealed. Jack is forced to choose between saving his own life and saving someone else.

Theme

The main theme of Jack of the Red Hearts is bonding and mutual healing under unexpected circumstances. The film shows how a young con man transforms himself and his family through his special bond with a girl with autism. It also emphasizes how even marginalized individuals can heal by supporting each other.

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Cast and Characters

• Anna Sophia Robb - Jack (Jacqueline Ferguson): A young con artist and runaway. He needs money and stability to rescue his sister from foster care. He forms an unexpected bond with Glory, who has autism.
• Famke Janssen - Kay Adams: A struggling character who bonds with Jack and the mother of his autistic daughter, Glory.
• Scott Cohen - Mark Adams: Father figure, one of the main characters of the movie.
• Israel Broussard - Robert Adams: Glory's 17-year-old brother who develops an emotional connection with Jack.
• Taylor Richardson - Glory: 11-year-old girl with autism. Jack is Glory's caretaker and forms a special bond with her.
• Sophia Anne Caruso - Coke (Bethany Ferguson): Jack's 11-year-old sister. Jack works to rescue her from foster care.

Awards and Nominations

Awards

• Woods Hole Film Festival (2015): Janet Grillo won the Audience Award for Best Feature Fiction Film.
• Catalina Film Festival (2015): Janet Grillo and Alexis Ostrander shared the Chimaera Project Award.

Nominations

• Women's Film Critics Circle Awards (2016): Janet Grillo was nominated for the Courage in Filmmaking Award.