Starting a movie about someone’s life with a scene of them shouting “Fk the Queen” while receiving an award is pretty shocking – and it actually happened to the subject of I Swear. The film embraces the often darkly humorous side of Tourette’s Syndrome, but also honestly portrays the struggles and pain it can cause.
Kirk Jones, the director behind popular British films like *Nanny McPhee* and *Waking Ned*, brings us *I Swear*, a movie charting the life of John Davidson. It follows his journey from a troubled teen to his current work as an advocate for understanding and accepting Tourette’s Syndrome.
While *I Swear* follows a typical biopic formula for an extraordinary story, Robert Aramayo delivers a captivating performance, supported by a talented British cast. The result is a film that’s both humorous and deeply moving, leaving you feeling hopeful. It’s also a potentially significant story worth seeing.
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Though Tourette’s Syndrome has been portrayed in media before, many people likely associate it with Pete Bennett, a contestant on the 2006 reality show *Big Brother*. In reality, Tourette’s is more common than most realize, affecting about 1% of school-aged children – but it’s often missed or never formally identified.
The film *I Swear* offers a realistic and moving depiction of Tourette’s syndrome and its effect on individuals. It powerfully shows the challenges faced by 15-year-old John (played by Scott Ellis Watson in a strong first film role) as he tries to get a diagnosis. The movie doesn’t shy away from the difficulties, including how his family mistakenly blames him for his involuntary tics – a particularly painful scene shows him forced to eat alone by the fireplace.
Things don’t become simpler as the story progresses thirteen years. Aramayo steps into the role as John enters his late twenties. However, John now has the support of people like Dottie (Maxine Peake) and Tommy (Peter Mullan), who accept him despite his tics. This support helps John begin his journey to educate others about and gain acceptance for Tourette’s Syndrome.
A key element of *I Swear* is the filmmakers’ commitment to casting actors who actually have Tourette’s Syndrome, providing much-needed representation. While the film still prominently features the impressive performance of its lead actor, who skillfully balances the serious and comedic aspects of the condition, the broader inclusion of actors with Tourette’s adds a layer of authenticity that significantly enhances the movie.
We hope the movie will change how people think about Tourette’s Syndrome, but we also want to make sure you know it’s not just a serious drama. *I Swear* is genuinely funny too – like the scene where John is arrested trying to smuggle drugs, only to find out it’s actually a bag of sugar.
The show isn’t making fun of John or his occasional swearing. It’s a realistic look at life with Tourette’s, showing both the funny, and sometimes awkward, moments, as well as the real struggles John and those around him face.
One minor criticism of *I Swear* is that it doesn’t fully explore John’s work as an advocate. While the film shows him starting a support group, his efforts in this area are quickly summarized in a montage that jumps ahead to him receiving an MBE.
The movie prioritizes exploring John’s personality and character over a detailed look at his accomplishments. Fortunately, this allows for more time with the fantastic supporting characters, which most viewers will appreciate. If you’re interested in learning about John’s work specifically, documentaries are available to watch after the film.
Because the story really helps you understand John as a person, the ending – when he finally gets to visit a library – is incredibly powerful and sure to be very emotional for everyone watching.
I Swear is released in UK and Irish cinemas on October 10.
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2025-10-06 09:19