🔗 Share this article

Which activities do religious leaders participate in during their own free time? Last week, I went with a couple of colleagues, each other vicars, to view the new picture called I Swear. Based on the trailer, I understood which it centered on an individual living with Tourette's. What I didn’t understand was the fact it was based on an actual individual: John Davidson, that starred in an earlier late eighties documentary who later was awarded an MBE for their efforts to teach society about the condition as well as assist fellow sufferers.

Understanding Tourette Syndrome

Prior to this documentary, most people hadn't heard of TS. Almost 40 years later, everybody sort of recognizes the basics, but it’s still viewed as a punchline – notably in the comedy circuit.

From the trailer, it appeared that this movie was going to try to balance by simultaneously capitalising on the clear funny moments of a person yelling the most inappropriate words during inopportune times and striving to further the protagonist's mission of promoting understanding through a compassionate way. Hopefully this isn't a spoiler to state it was successful in both aspects – but obviously this became clear once the film concluded.

A Startling Theater Incident

When the feature commenced, a teenager sitting ahead of us abruptly yelled a string of profanities. At first, it appeared it was a gag – although a joke highly inappropriate. However, it was soon evident which this was an actual individual with Tourette syndrome: an adolescent accompanied by his father.

And as the story unfolded, the same with the young man – with no obvious action by neither his father nor anybody in the theater. This led to slightly conflicted. Undoubtedly, this represented a big deal for them to watch their no doubt extremely challenging life portrayed on the big screen, and it was positive that they received this experience. Yet was it acceptable that I and the entire audience in the cinema struggled to follow the audio due to the noise? Would the theater have been able to put on an exclusive showing – like many cinemas often provide to individuals with special needs in general?

A Personal Conflict

It's regrettable to confess which I actually considered saying something – not to the parent himself (I am no heartless), instead to staff of the theatre. However, both of the author's evidently kinder friends had accepted with the situation. Moreover, in the back of my mind there was an admittedly fictional incident in Extras where Ricky Gervais’s Andy Millman protests about a child making too much noise during a meal, unaware which the child has a genetic condition. He endured the ensuing bad press – and my offence would have been far worse since I was aware the individual could not was unable to control it.

An Eye-Opening Experience

Luckily, my conscience won over then a remarkable event happened during the next film duration. First, I just became accustomed to the initially distracting sounds. Then, as the film approached its conclusion and we saw the deeply freeing impact which Davidson’s special programs offered on numerous individuals, I felt humbled as well as deeply honored to be sharing this event with people with firsthand knowledge not just in a fictional setting – even though the lead actor's acting as the character stood out , in my view, deserving of recognition.

I have experienced similar experiences while watching films previously – viewing The King’s Speech with a friend with a speech impediment and their language pathologist spouse, alternatively encountering former servicemen of World War II in the foyer after Saving Private Ryan – yet this was in a different league. It resembled a 4D screening, however rather than motion seats or water mists hitting you in the face, the characters were right next to you saying, “This is more than entertainment. It’s my reality.” And then swearing. An example phrase.

An Uplifting Conclusion

Therefore I didn’t complain. When the movie concluded, I actually approached and expressed gratitude to Joe – who was fourteen – along with his father, dad, for the privilege of their presence, which without a doubt made our experience more meaningful compared to a standard screening. Afterwards had a long chat then snapped a photo together – at that moment we all exclaimed a curse alongside the boy.

Final Thoughts

I highly recommend everyone to watch this excellent movie , if you have the chance to find yourself watching alongside with a person experiencing Tourette's, {don’t be a nim