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Which activities might clergy members engage in during their own spare time? Recently, this writer ventured accompanied by a couple of colleagues, each fellow vicars, to view the new movie titled I Swear. From the preview, I understood that the film was about a person living with Tourette's. What I didn’t realize was the fact it depicted a real person: John Davidson, who appeared in a previous 1989 documentary who later was awarded a British Empire Medal for their campaigns to teach the public regarding Tourette's as well as assist others with TS.

Learning About Tourette Syndrome

Before that film, most people hadn't been aware of Tourette syndrome. Nearly 40 years since then, everybody generally understands its nature, but it is often viewed as a joke – notably on stand-up comedy.

From the trailer, it was evident which this movie was going to try to balance through simultaneously leveraging the obvious comic potential of someone yelling the most inappropriate words at awkward situations and attempting to further the protagonist's work of promoting understanding in a compassionate manner. Hopefully this isn't a spoiler to say it was successful on both counts – but naturally this realization came after watching.

An Unexpected Cinema Experience

When the film was starting, a youth sitting in the row of us unexpectedly shouted out multiple curse words. For a minute, it seemed this was a gag – albeit a joke highly inappropriate. However, it soon became clear that here was someone genuinely experiencing Tourette's: a young man with a parent.

While the film continued, so did the young man – with no obvious intervention from either the parent or anyone in the theater. I felt somewhat torn. Clearly, it was a significant event for the boy and his father to watch the certainly extremely challenging daily reality shown in a film, and I felt glad which they received this chance. Yet was it fair that we and everyone else in the cinema could hardly hear the dialogue due to the noise? Could the venue not have arrange an exclusive showing – like several theaters frequently offer for individuals with special needs in general?

An Ethical Dilemma

I’m ashamed to confess which I really thought about raising the issue – not directly to them himself (I am no heartless), instead to staff of the cinema. Yet, both of my obviously kinder friends appeared to resigned themselves to the events. Plus, I recalled was the admittedly fictional episode in Extras when a character's Andy Millman complains regarding a child making too much noise in public, ignorant which the child has a genetic condition. He barely survived the ensuing public criticism – so my complaint would have been much more severe since I understood the individual literally couldn’t help it.

A Transformative Realization

Luckily, my compassion won over and something extraordinary unfolded over the next film duration. First, I simply got used to the previously bothersome sounds. Later, when the film built to a peak where the audience observed the deeply freeing influence which the protagonist's support groups offered on so many people, I felt modest as well as deeply honored to experience this moment with those who had real experience not just as actors – although Robert Aramayo’s acting as Davidson stood out and to this writer, Oscar-caliber.

There have been analogous moments in the cinema before – viewing The King’s Speech with an acquaintance with a speech impediment and his speech therapist wife, alternatively encountering actual veterans of the Normandy landings in the foyer after Saving Private Ryan – but this was far more impactful. It felt like an enhanced viewing, but instead of the chairs moving about or water mists touching viewers, the individuals were right alongside declaring, “This is more than a film. It’s my reality.” And then swearing. Spunk for milk.

A Positive Outcome

So no complaint was made. When the film ended, I actually approached and expressed gratitude to the young man – aged fourteen – and Mark, guardian, for the gift of sharing the space, that without a doubt enhanced our viewing deeper than it would have been. Afterwards had a long chat and took a selfie together – when everyone present shouted a rude word alongside the young man.

Key Takeaways

I highly recommend all viewers to view this brilliant movie , if you have the chance to find yourself sharing the cinema with a person experiencing Tourette's, {don’t be a nim