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Which activities do religious leaders participate in in their free time? Recently, I ventured with a couple of friends, both fellow vicars, to view the new film named I Swear. From the trailer, I knew that it was about a man experiencing Tourette's. What the author didn’t know was the fact it was based on a true-life figure: John Davidson, who starred in an earlier late eighties film who later was awarded a royal honor in recognition of their work to educate society regarding this syndrome as well as help others with TS.

Exploring Tourette's

Before that documentary, many individuals had never been aware of Tourette syndrome. Nearly 40 years later, everybody sort of knows what it is, but it remains viewed as comic material – particularly within the comedy circuit.

From the teaser, it seemed that the film intended to walk a fine line through both using the clear comic potential of a person uttering the most inappropriate words at awkward situations while also striving to carry on the protagonist's efforts in raising awareness in a compassionate manner. Hopefully it’s not revealing too much to mention it managed in achieving both goals – however of course I only knew that after watching.

A Surprising Theater Incident

As the feature commenced, a young man sitting in front of us suddenly exclaimed a series of profanities. Initially, it seemed this was a gag – albeit one quite offensive. But, it quickly became apparent which this was someone genuinely experiencing Tourette's: a teenager accompanied by a parent.

And as the film continued, the same with the young man – and there was no visible response by either the parent or anyone among the viewers. I felt a bit conflicted. Obviously, it was a significant event for them to see their certainly very tough existence depicted in cinema, so I felt glad that they got this experience. Yet was it acceptable that we along with other viewers in the theater could barely understand the audio as a result? Would the cinema have been able to put on an exclusive showing – like several theaters regularly do to those with conditions typically?

A Moral Struggle

I feel embarrassed to say that I really thought about saying something – not to the parent himself (I’m not heartless), but to staff of the theatre. However, both of the author's evidently more charitable friends appeared to resigned themselves to the situation. Additionally, I recalled was the admittedly fictional episode from Extras where Ricky Gervais’s Andy Millman complains regarding a child causing a disturbance in a restaurant, unaware which the child has Down’s syndrome. He barely survived the resultant bad press – and my complaint might have been even more inappropriate because I understood the individual simply had no choice.

An Eye-Opening Awakening

Thankfully, my compassion prevailed then something extraordinary unfolded over the following film duration. Initially, I just adapted to the initially distracting utterances. Later, as the movie built to a peak where we saw the profoundly empowering effect that the protagonist's support groups have had for so many people, I experienced modest as well as very privileged to be sharing this moment with people who’d actually lived it not just portrayed on screen – even though the lead actor's performance in the role stood out , to this writer, Oscar-caliber.

There have been analogous moments while watching films in the past – viewing The King’s Speech alongside a friend with a stammer and their speech therapist wife, alternatively encountering real ex-soldiers of the Normandy landings in the lobby following Saving Private Ryan – yet this was on another level. It was like a 4D screening, however rather than the chairs moving about or water mists hitting you in the face, the people were sitting beside you declaring, “This isn’t just entertainment. It reflects my life.” And then cursing. A memorable line.

An Uplifting Resolution

Therefore I didn’t complain. As the film ended, I actually went and thanked Joe – aged 14 – along with the parent, guardian, for the privilege of sharing the space, which without a doubt enriched the film more meaningful than it would have been. We then conversed at length then snapped a photo together – when we all yelled an expletive alongside the young man.

Closing Insights

It is urged that people to view this excellent film , if you’re lucky enough to be in the same theater with someone like Joe, {don’t be a nim