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Which activities do religious leaders participate in in their spare time? Not long ago, this writer ventured with a couple of friends, each fellow vicars, to view a new picture titled I Swear. From its trailer, I knew which it was about a man living with Tourette syndrome. What I didn’t know turned out to be the fact it chronicled an actual individual: the subject, who starred in a previous 1989 program and was awarded an MBE for his efforts to teach society about this syndrome as well as assist fellow sufferers.

Understanding TS

Before this film, most people hadn't been aware of Tourette syndrome. Almost four decades later, most individuals generally recognizes the basics, but it is often viewed as a punchline – particularly on stand-up comedy.

Based on the teaser, it was evident which this movie intended to walk a fine line through simultaneously capitalising on the undeniable funny moments of someone yelling highly offensive things during awkward situations while also attempting to carry on Davidson’s work in promoting understanding in a compassionate way. I hope it’s not revealing too much to mention it succeeded on both counts – but of course this realization came by the end.

An Unexpected Theater Incident

As the film commenced, a young man sitting in front nearby suddenly exclaimed multiple profanities. Initially, it seemed it was a gag – albeit one in very poor taste. Yet, it was soon evident that here was someone genuinely with Tourette's: a young man alongside his father.

While the movie continued, the same with the young man – and there was no obvious intervention by either his father nor anybody among the viewers. This led to slightly torn. Undoubtedly, it was a big deal for the boy and his father to experience their undoubtedly extremely challenging daily reality shown in cinema, so I was pleased which they were having that opportunity. Yet was it acceptable that we and the entire audience in the cinema could hardly hear the audio as a result? Could the cinema have been able to organize an exclusive showing – like several theaters frequently offer to neurodiverse people typically?

A Moral Struggle

I feel embarrassed to say which I really contemplated complaining – not to the boy’s father personally (I am no an insensitive person), instead to the manager of the cinema. Yet, each of my clearly more charitable colleagues seemed to have resigned themselves to what was happening. Plus, I recalled was the admittedly fictional scene from the TV series where Ricky Gervais’s the protagonist complains regarding a child causing a disturbance in public, not realizing that he has Down’s syndrome. He barely survived the resultant bad press – and my offence might have been far worse since I understood the individual simply had no choice.

A Transformative Experience

Fortunately, my better nature took over and something extraordinary unfolded during the next hour and a half. Initially, I just adapted to the previously bothersome sounds. Then, as the film approached its conclusion and viewers witnessed the profoundly empowering effect that the protagonist's support groups provided on many participants, I felt humbled and deeply honored to share this moment with people who had real experience not only as actors – even though Robert Aramayo’s acting in the role stood out , in my view, Oscar-caliber.

There have been similar experiences at the movies in the past – watching The King’s Speech alongside an acquaintance with a speech impediment and his speech therapist spouse, or bumping into former servicemen of World War II in the foyer after Saving Private Ryan – yet that experience was in a different league. It resembled an immersive experience, but instead of the chairs moving about and sprays of water hitting you in the face, the people were present beside you stating, “This isn’t just a film. It’s my reality.” And then cursing. Spunk for milk.

An Uplifting Resolution

So I didn’t complain. When the credits rolled, I even approached and expressed gratitude to Joe – aged fourteen – along with the parent, his father, for the privilege of their presence, which without a doubt enhanced our viewing more meaningful than a standard screening. We then had a long chat and captured a memory together – when we all yelled a rude word in solidarity with Joe.

Final Thoughts

I highly recommend all viewers to view this remarkable movie and if you have the chance to find yourself sharing the cinema with someone like Joe, {don’t be a nim