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What do vicars participate in in their own leisure hours? Last week, I went accompanied by a couple of companions, both fellow pastors, to view the new picture named I Swear. From the teaser, I knew which the film was about a person experiencing Tourette syndrome. However, what the author had not know turned out to be the fact it chronicled a true-life figure: the central character, who was featured in a late eighties documentary who later was awarded a royal honor for their work to educate people about the condition as well as support others with TS.

Exploring Tourette's

Prior to this documentary, the majority did not known about Tourette syndrome. Nearly 40 years later, people generally knows its nature, yet it is often viewed as a punchline – particularly on the comedy circuit.

From the teaser, it seemed which the production intended to walk a fine line through both using the undeniable funny moments of someone uttering socially awkward things at unexpected moments while also striving to further Davidson’s work of educating the public in a respectful and sensitive way. Hopefully it’s not a spoiler to mention it managed in achieving both goals – however of course this became clear after watching.

A Startling Cinema Experience

As the film began, a young man sitting in the row from us abruptly yelled multiple profanities. For a minute, it seemed this was a gag – although one quite offensive. But, it soon became clear that this was someone genuinely with Tourette syndrome: an adolescent with his father.

And as the film unfolded, so did the young man – with no obvious response by either his father or anybody among the viewers. I felt a bit divided. Clearly, this represented an important moment for this family to watch the undoubtedly very tough daily reality depicted in cinema, so I felt glad that they received that opportunity. But was it OK if we along with other viewers in the cinema could barely understand the dialogue because of this? Would the cinema have been able to organize a dedicated session – like several theaters regularly do to neurodiverse people typically?

A Personal Struggle

I feel embarrassed to confess that I genuinely contemplated raising the issue – however, not to the parent personally (I am no a monster), instead to staff of the theatre. However, each of the author's clearly more compassionate fellow vicars seemed to have resigned themselves to the events. Moreover, I recalled there was an imagined but impactful incident in Extras when Ricky Gervais’s Andy Millman protests about a child causing a disturbance in a restaurant, not realizing that he has special needs. He endured the subsequent negative attention – so my objection might have been even more inappropriate since I understood the boy could not had no choice.

An Eye-Opening Realization

Thankfully, my better nature took over then something extraordinary unfolded during the next 90 minutes. Initially, I simply became accustomed to the once-intrusive noise. Then, when the movie built to a peak where we saw the deeply freeing impact which the protagonist's support groups provided for so many people, I experienced humbled as well as very privileged to experience this event with those who’d actually lived it not only portrayed on screen – even though Robert Aramayo’s performance in the role was superb and to this writer, deserving of recognition.

I have experienced analogous moments while watching films in the past – viewing The King’s Speech alongside an acquaintance who stutters and their language pathologist spouse, or encountering actual veterans from D-Day after the show after Saving Private Ryan – yet that experience was in a different league. It resembled an enhanced viewing, but instead of the chairs moving about or water mists touching viewers, the individuals were present alongside stating, “This goes beyond a film. This is my truth.” And then using foul language. Spunk for milk.

An Uplifting Outcome

So no complaint was made. When the credits rolled, I even spoke with the teenager – aged fourteen – and the parent, guardian, for the privilege of being there, which certainly enhanced our viewing more meaningful compared to a standard screening. Next talked for a while and captured a memory as a group – when we all exclaimed an expletive to support the young man.

Final Thoughts

I would strongly encourage people to go and see this excellent film , should the opportunity arises to end up sharing the cinema with an individual with TS, {don’t be a nim