Late in the movie, a woman criticizes Jack for being rough with Glory, and she answers, "It's okay. She's autistic." That about sums up Jack of the Red Hearts.
When Kay says, "We like to think she has an exceptional personality," her voice dripping with sarcasm and venom, while Glory is in her lap, it's okay because Glory is autistic and therefore has no feelings. When Jack realizes that she has no idea how to handle Glory but continues anyway, it's okay because Glory is autistic and therefore can be hurt or endangered if it will further the Designated Hero's goals. When Jack pinches Glory for misbehaving, it's okay because Glory is autistic and her pain is less important than neurotypicals' convenience. When Glory runs off because Jack stupidly left her alone while visiting Coke, it's okay because Glory is autistic and means nothing compared to Coke. When Jack roughly manhandles Glory to force her to eat with a spoon, it's okay because Glory is autistic and her meltdowns are just testing and manipulation - and yes, she actually uses the word "manipulation."
Oh, and by the way, Jack literally copies the last example from The Miracle Worker, an abuser's wet dream that tells viewers, "If you can physically overpower someone, she'll do whatever you want and love you for it! Even if she's disabled and doesn't even understand what you want, or is physically incapable of it!" And just as in The Miracle Worker, the judicious application of physical violence is enough to break Glory's walls. She decides she loves her abuser, masters the pointless, soul-crushing tasks that ABA therapists love, and even makes eye contact with Jack for some bizarre reason.
And Janet Grillo has an autistic child? I worry for him.
Film Excuses and glorifies child abuse
Late in the movie, a woman criticizes Jack for being rough with Glory, and she answers, "It's okay. She's autistic." That about sums up Jack of the Red Hearts.
When Kay says, "We like to think she has an exceptional personality," her voice dripping with sarcasm and venom, while Glory is in her lap, it's okay because Glory is autistic and therefore has no feelings. When Jack realizes that she has no idea how to handle Glory but continues anyway, it's okay because Glory is autistic and therefore can be hurt or endangered if it will further the Designated Hero's goals. When Jack pinches Glory for misbehaving, it's okay because Glory is autistic and her pain is less important than neurotypicals' convenience. When Glory runs off because Jack stupidly left her alone while visiting Coke, it's okay because Glory is autistic and means nothing compared to Coke. When Jack roughly manhandles Glory to force her to eat with a spoon, it's okay because Glory is autistic and her meltdowns are just testing and manipulation - and yes, she actually uses the word "manipulation."
Oh, and by the way, Jack literally copies the last example from The Miracle Worker, an abuser's wet dream that tells viewers, "If you can physically overpower someone, she'll do whatever you want and love you for it! Even if she's disabled and doesn't even understand what you want, or is physically incapable of it!" And just as in The Miracle Worker, the judicious application of physical violence is enough to break Glory's walls. She decides she loves her abuser, masters the pointless, soul-crushing tasks that ABA therapists love, and even makes eye contact with Jack for some bizarre reason.
And Janet Grillo has an autistic child? I worry for him.