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What do clergy members do during their own leisure hours? Recently, I went with two companions, each fellow ministers, to watch a recently released film called I Swear. From the teaser, it was clear which the film focused on an individual diagnosed with TS. However, what I had not know was the fact it was based on a true-life figure: the central character, who was featured in a previous 1989 film and received a royal honor for his campaigns to educate people regarding Tourette's as well as help others with TS.

Exploring TS

Before that documentary, most people hadn't heard of the condition. Almost four decades afterwards, most individuals generally understands its nature, but it’s still viewed as a joke – particularly within the comedy circuit.

Based on previews, it appeared which this movie intended to have its cake and eat it through simultaneously using the clear humorous aspects from a person shouting the most inappropriate things during inopportune times and striving to carry on Davidson’s work of raising awareness in a compassionate approach. It is hoped this isn't a spoiler to state it succeeded in both aspects – but naturally this realization came after watching.

A Startling Movie Encounter

When the feature commenced, a young man sitting ahead of us suddenly exclaimed a string of obscenities. Initially, it seemed this was a gag – although a joke highly inappropriate. Yet, it was soon evident that here was an actual individual with Tourette's: a young man alongside his dad.

While the movie progressed, the same with the boy – with no apparent intervention from either his dad nor anyone among the viewers. This led to somewhat conflicted. Obviously, this represented an important moment for them to watch the certainly extremely challenging daily reality shown on the big screen, so I felt glad which they got this experience. Yet was it acceptable if we and the entire audience in the theater struggled to follow the film due to the noise? Would the venue not have put on a special screening – as many cinemas regularly do for neurodiverse people in general?

An Ethical Struggle

It's regrettable to say that I actually contemplated raising the issue – not directly to them personally (I am no heartless), instead to staff of the cinema. Yet, each of the author's obviously kinder colleagues seemed to have resigned themselves with the situation. Additionally, lurking in my thoughts there was an fictional yet memorable episode in Extras where a character's Andy Millman complains regarding a child being disruptive in public, ignorant which he has Down’s syndrome. He endured the resultant negative attention – and my complaint could have been even more inappropriate because I knew the teenager could not was unable to control it.

A Transformative Realization

Fortunately, my better nature prevailed then a remarkable event happened over the next hour and a half. Initially, I simply became accustomed to the once-intrusive noise. Then, as the story reached its climax and the audience observed the deeply freeing influence which the protagonist's support groups offered on numerous individuals, I experienced modest as well as deeply honored to experience this time with those with firsthand knowledge not only portrayed on screen – although the lead actor's portrayal in the role was superb and personally, award-worthy.

I’ve had similar experiences in the cinema previously – viewing The King’s Speech with an acquaintance who stutters and their speech therapist wife, or encountering real ex-soldiers of World War II in the foyer following Saving Private Ryan – yet that experience was in a different league. It felt like an enhanced viewing, however rather than the chairs moving about and water mists touching viewers, the characters were present next to you stating, “This goes beyond entertainment. It’s my reality.” Then swearing. A memorable line.

A Heartwarming Conclusion

So I didn’t complain. When the movie concluded, I actually went and thanked the teenager – aged 14 – along with his father, dad, for the privilege of their presence, that without a doubt enriched the film deeper compared to a standard screening. We then conversed at length and captured a memory as a group – at that moment the group shouted an expletive to support the young man.

Final Thoughts

I would strongly encourage people to watch this remarkable production and should you’re lucky enough to find yourself in the same theater with a person experiencing Tourette's, {don’t be a nim