Ace of Hearts parents guide

Ace of Hearts Parent Guide

Overall B-

Inspired by a true story that was featured in the Reader's Digest, Ace of Hearts follows the investigation of a police dog accused of harming a suspect. His human partner Daniel Harding (Dean Cain) is convinced the four-legged crime fighter is innocent, but no one at the station will believe him. So Julia Harding (Britt McKillip ), the officer's thirteen-year-old daughter, begins her own investigation to help her Dad prove Ace is really man's best friend.

Violence B
Sexual Content A
Profanity A-
Substance Use A

Why is Ace of Hearts rated PG? The MPAA rated Ace of Hearts PG

Parent Movie Review

The MPAA has rated Ace of Hearts PG for some violence and thematic elements.

For Daniel Harding (Dean Cain), a member of the K-9 police unit, his partner Ace is more than just man’s best friend. This specially bred, carefully weighed, and impeccably trained German Shepherd is literally the difference between life and death. The dog has even taken the occasional bullet to keep his master from harm’s way. Understandably, Officer Harding tends to be a little protective of his “pet.”

Unfortunately, all this attention directed at Ace is causing Harding’s human family to feel a little neglected. Daniel’s wife Lilly (Anne Marie DeLuise) is getting tired of only seeing her husband for a few hours each week, while thirteen-year-old Julia (Britt McKillip) is particularly crushed that her dad is more interested in work than her homemade cuisine and carefully researched crime fighting tips.

But those petty concerns are put aside when Ace suddenly finds himself in trouble. During a call to investigate a local burglary, the furry law enforcer is accused of attacking, instead of just apprehending, the suspect. Although the man (Mike Dopud) is sporting lacerations on his face and neck, those who know Ace best refuse to believe the trusty dog is guilty of the charges. However, the police department is not willing to take any chances. Rather than risk another possible bout of rogue behavior, they give the pup the death sentence. Horrified, the Harding family (and especially Julia) jumps in to acquit the dog.

Based on a true story that was featured in the January 2000 Reader’s Digest, Ace of Hearts gives the audience an appreciation for the work of a police dog. Yet stretching a magazine article into a full-length, made-for-TV movie means the script has needed some padding. Sadly, most of the extra material is made up of stereotypical characters, like clumsy, unintelligent or inattentive adults. The story also deals out plenty of “kids know best” attitudes. This is particularly apparent in the actions of the teenage protagonist as she puts herself and others in danger by taking unnecessary (and sometimes illegal) risks. These include spying on suspects, tampering with potential evidence, trespassing on other’s property and purposefully misrepresenting her identity—not the sort of behaviors children should emulate.

Although careful to avoid serious content or graphic depictions of the rigors of crime fighting, there are some images that may frighten youngsters. These include depictions of a police chase, bloody scratches on a man’s body, a suspenseful scene where a burglar breaks into a home and an animal in peril. While these elements are necessary to the plotline and may appeal to ‘tweens and teens, some parents may want to wait until their littlest detectives are a bit older before laying this card on the table.

Starring Dean Cain, Anne Marie DeLuise, Britt McKillip. Updated

Ace of Hearts
Rating & Content Info

Why is Ace of Hearts rated PG? Ace of Hearts is rated PG by the MPAA

Although the film is aimed at family viewers, Ace of Hearts does include some material that may frighten youngsters, such as a chase scene between police officers and an escaped convict. Guns are shown, but no shots are fired. Police dogs are often seen using their mouths to clamp on to suspects arms in an attempt to hold them down. On one occasion, a man is depicted with bloody scratches on his arms and neck. In a suspenseful scene, a teen-aged character breaks into the home of a possible criminal in search of evidence. She also makes phone calls under the pretence of being someone else. Human characters are threatened. A dog is in peril of being put to sleep and also from a stab wound.

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Ace of Hearts Parents' Guide

Why does Julia find it so important to help her Dad with his work? What is she trying to prove, and to whom?

Julia pleas for her father’s time and trust, yet engages in lying and some foolhardy behavior. How do her actions affect the audiences’ sympathy for her character? In the context of the movie, what does Officer Harding learn about his family as he comes to rely on his daughter?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Ace of Hearts movie is May 5, 2008. Here are some details…

DVD Notes: Ace of Hearts

DVD Release Date: 6 May 2008

Ace of Hearts releases to DVD with audio tracks available in English (Dolby Digital 5.1) and Spanish (Dolby Digital Surround). Subtitles are provided in English, French and Spanish.

Related home video titles:

Dogs also find themselves at the mercy of some unscrupulous characters in the Disney animation 101 Dalmatians. Teenage detective work takes center stage in the movie Nancy Drew.