The powerful biopic of Scottish campaigner John Davidson, who developed Tourette syndrome when he was a teenager, with its stellar performances makes for an unforgettable viewing experience.

Review
I Swear
British Film Festival
Rating: ★★★★☆

Like many people, whenever I heard the term Tourette syndrome, I immediately thought about swearing, without understanding the complexity and debilitating impact of the neurological disorder. The involuntary ticks and outbursts cause incredible harm to those who have the syndrome, mostly from a lack of understanding by the community around them.

I Swear, the new biopic written and directed by Kirk Jones (Nanny McPhee, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2), demonstrates that through education comes understanding.

The film tells the true story of Scottish campaigner John Davidson, who developed Tourette syndrome when he was a teenager in the 1980s, when little was known about the condition.

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The plot itself is predictable, working through John’s life moment by moment. At times it felt formulaic. Setups were obvious and the payoff unearned. Yet while there were no real surprises, the power of his story and the performances from the stellar cast, including Peter Mullan, Maxine Peake and Shirley Henderson, kept me emotionally engaged.

Actor Robert Aramayo, from Amazon’s Rings of Power, is convincing as an adult John, portraying the involuntary outbursts and physical movements as well as embodying the emotional strain of being misunderstood.

And actor Scott Ellis Watson gives a stunning debut performance as the thirteen-year-old John, frightened and confused when he starts developing uncontrollable ticks and outbursts.

The condition becomes less of a burden compared to the rejection John experiences from his family and community. At school, he's bullied and punished for his insubordination, while his inability to control his body destroys what looks like a promising football career, and the strain of coping with a disruptive child breaks up his parents’ marriage.

As an adult, John is a shell of a man, hiding away at home because he is an embarrassment to his loving mother, who struggles to cope. Then, through a chance meeting with an old school friend, John meets Dottie (Maxine Peake), and everything changes. Dottie understands the condition, telling John not to apologise for something he cannot control.

This acceptance is the launching pad for independence and eventual purpose as an advocate for change, even while he faces significant challenges along the way.

The powerful biopic of Scottish campaigner John Davidson shows that understanding comes from educationSupplied

The film expertly walks a fine line between making light of the condition while not mocking or exploiting it for entertainment. It is often John’s own reaction to his swearing at the worst possible time that gives the audience permission to laugh.

"Tourette's affects people in different ways", John Davidson, who is also an executive producer of the film, told the BBC. "But I've always thought it was okay to have a laugh.

"Because some of the things that they come out with, some of the situations can be really, really funny.

"And I think that should be encouraged because that's one tool that I carry in my toolbox for getting through life."

There are many biopics about a courageous person who triumphs over adversity, but this one felt different because the audience learns something along the way.

"I really hope that this film can make people think twice about giving people space, giving them time, having patience with people who aren't exactly like you are," director Kirk Jones told the BBC.

"I remember a lady I met after one screening saying that if she had met someone like John on her way to the cinema to see the film, she would have reacted with suspicion and fear.

"As she left the cinema, she said, 'If I met someone like John on the way home, I would talk to them and I would understand a little more about what was going on with them'."

I Swear is showing as part of the British Film Festival on at various venues across the country until December 7

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