There is a turning point in "Jack of the Red Hearts" where the young woman is hired to care for an autistic child. The caregiver, Jacqueline "Jack" Ferguson is a fraud, who falsified her credentials out of desperation for the live-in helper job. But when Jack watches the film version of "The Miracle Worker" and observes Annie Sullivan's mentoring of Helen Keller, Jack appropriates Annie's techniques and begins to develop rapport with the child.

The little girl under Jack's care is named Glory, who is the daughter of Kay and Mark Adams. The family was desperate for assistance when Kay returned to work. Jack now calls herself "Donna" after stealing another worker's credentials. But it turns out that she has an extremely positive influence on the child.

Once during a card game, little Glory identifies the color, name, and type of card as "Jack of the red hearts." By the end, little Glory gives a successful interview for a school which could have an impact on her life. But the real impact has come from Glory's association with Jack.

It was unfortunate that the Adams family would not intervene more aggressively with the police, who arrest and plan to prosecute Jack. Despite its heartwarming and endearing moments, the film ended as a downer with Jack was hustled off in a squad car. It is unlikely that the long arm of the law will ever recognize the special relationship of this young woman with the autistic child.

But for the family, the only possible feeling they have of the effect of Jack on the child is: Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!

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.

Because I have two young autistic boys (6 and 4),I was curious to see how an autistic child was portrayed in a film. It was superbly done. Props to Taylor Richardson for her acting skills.

This is a movie about two families. The first is a small, broken family of two orphaned sisters; the elder (Jack, 18) wants to do anything to be with her younger sister. Even if it means breaking the law.

The second family revolves around 11-year-old Glory who is autistic and essentially non-verbal; the entire family is impacted by these difficulties. As the movie progresses, you get a glimpse of the daily experiences in the family: therapy appointments, school challenges, bedtime struggles, food issues, sensory drives and distractions, the neurotypical child getting less attention because the autistic one needs more, spousal exhaustion and conflict, and the joy of the seemingly small achievements that are years in the waiting.

Jack is well written and her background provides the perfect plot for showing a character experiencing an autistic child for the first time. Kay (the mother) might come across as weird and overprotective, but I think most mothers of autistic children would relate to her; I do (although Kay's verbal filter seems to be lacking).

There is only one part of the movie that I HATED. Kay has a brief conversation with another mother whose child has transitioned to mainstream school and Kay uses the word "recovered." It blaringly revealed how Kay believes autism is a disease that needs to be healed or disorder that has an end. This fallacy is never addressed. (Please have patience with me.) People who have autism have a variety of challenges that neurotypical people do not, however all people have to learn how to cope with life in their own way; some autistic people just need guidance finding ways to deal with things that regular people figure out without having to be directly taught. For example, spoons: Neurotypical people quickly learn to abide spoons because of classical conditioning (spoon leads to food/reward); some autistic people find the spoon itself to be too much of a distraction/torment and the food not enough of a reward. (Ok. I'll get off my soapbox now. Thanks.)

Enjoy the movie. It is a very unique drama.