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Which activities might vicars participate in during their free time? Last week, this writer ventured with a couple of friends, each fellow ministers, to watch a new film called I Swear. Based on the teaser, I knew which the film focused on a person experiencing Tourette's. What I didn’t understand was that it was based on a true-life figure: John Davidson, that starred in an earlier late eighties program and earned a royal honor in recognition of his campaigns to teach society regarding this syndrome and assist those affected.

Exploring Tourette's

Before that programme, most people had never been aware of Tourette syndrome. Nearly 40 years since then, most individuals roughly knows its nature, yet it’s still treated as comic material – particularly on stand-up comedy.

Based on the teaser, it seemed which the production intended to have its cake and eat it through both leveraging the clear humorous aspects of someone shouting highly offensive phrases at inopportune times while also working to carry on Davidson’s work of educating the public through a tactful and considerate manner. It is hoped this isn't revealing too much to state it succeeded on both counts – but of course this realization came by the end.

A Startling Movie Encounter

As the feature began, a youth seated in the row from us abruptly yelled a string of obscenities. At first, it seemed this was a gag – albeit one quite offensive. Yet, it soon became clear that this was an actual individual with Tourette syndrome: a teenager alongside his dad.

While the movie progressed, the same with the young man – with no visible intervention by either his dad nor anybody in the audience. This led to a bit conflicted. Undoubtedly, it was a significant event for this family to experience their no doubt very tough life shown in cinema, so I was pleased that they were having that opportunity. But was it acceptable that I along with other viewers in the auditorium could hardly hear the film because of this? Would the venue have been able to organize a dedicated session – like many cinemas regularly do for neurodiverse people typically?

A Moral Dilemma

I feel embarrassed to confess that I really contemplated raising the issue – not to the boy’s father personally (I am no a monster), but to staff of the theatre. But, both of the author's evidently more compassionate colleagues seemed to have come to terms to what was happening. Moreover, in the back of my mind was the imagined but impactful incident in Extras when a character's Andy Millman protests regarding a child making too much noise in a restaurant, ignorant which the child has a genetic condition. He faced backlash the resultant bad press – and my complaint might have been far worse because I was aware the boy literally couldn’t help it.

A Transformative Experience

Thankfully, my conscience prevailed then something extraordinary occurred over the following film duration. Initially, I just got used to the once-intrusive sounds. Later, as the movie built to a peak where we saw the deeply freeing effect that the protagonist's support groups provided on many participants, I experienced awed and extremely fortunate to share this time alongside individuals with firsthand knowledge not just in a fictional setting – although Robert Aramayo’s portrayal as the character was superb and to this writer, award-worthy.

There have been similar experiences in the cinema in the past – viewing The King’s Speech with a friend with a speech impediment and their speech therapist spouse, or encountering real ex-soldiers of World War II in the foyer following Saving Private Ryan – but that experience was on another level. It resembled a 4D screening, but rather than motion seats and sprays of water spraying the audience, the individuals were right beside you declaring, “This goes beyond a movie. It’s my reality.” And then swearing. An example phrase.

An Uplifting Outcome

So no complaint was made. As the credits rolled, I went so far as to went and thanked the young man – aged 14 – and Mark, dad, for the honor of being there, which undoubtedly enriched the film even more profound than what we expected. Next had a long chat and took a selfie with everyone – during which everyone present yelled an expletive to support the boy.

Key Takeaways

I would strongly encourage everyone to view this brilliant movie , if the opportunity arises to be watching alongside with an individual with TS, {don’t be a nim