The first scene in the movie I Swear, takes place in 2019. John Davidson is invited to Holyrod Palace in Edinburgh, Scotland to stand before Queen Elizabeth II. Walking into the palace for the formal event, John begins to sweat. He becomes uncomfortable with the whole idea of him being there, but the older woman he is with, Dottie Achenbach, consoles him as best as she can.
John doesn’t think that he’s good enough and is afraid he’ll do something embarrassing. Dottie continues to nudge him. He enters the large room full of people with the queen at the front. John gets about halfway into the room and begins swearing loudly uncontrollably. He apologizes and then the scene turns to black.
That uncomfortable scene is from the opening of the British biographical drama, I Swear. The movie is based on the true-life story of Davidson, a nationally known ambassador for the Tourettes condition. But the movie goes back to 1983 when John (Scott Ellis Watson) is just 12 years old.
Living in Galashiels in the Scottish Borders, his life appears to be happy. He delivers newspapers, has friends at school and is an inspiring soccer player. But then, right out of the blue it seems, he begins experiencing tics and uncontrollable swearing, which gets him in trouble at school and at home. His mother, Heather (Shirley Henderson) doesn’t know what got into him. His father David (Steven Cree) thinks that his son is being disrespectful. John tries to explain that he can’t help it, but no one believes him.
The first fourth of this movie sets this all up and it is uncomfortable to watch. John can’t catch a break. He is disciplined harshly for his “bad” behavior at school and all but banished from his family at home. It’s clear that many people don’t have a clue what Tourette syndrome is. Watson is pretty incredible in this role. You’d never know that this is his first acting role.
The movie jumps to 1996 and John is now 25 (and now played by Robert Aramayo). He is unemployed, still living at home, and on some medication, but he still struggles. It’s a welcome relief when Dottie (Maxine Peake) shows up. You know right away that she is going to be a special person in his life.
Dottie is the mother of Murray, a friend of his from school. As it turns out, she is a mental health nurse and isn’t fazed by John’s behavior. She invites John to live with her and her family and takes him under her wing as he continues with this little known and misunderstood condition fighting for a normal life.
Written, directed, and produced by Kirk Jones, I Swear is being praised by many overseas. It has a high score of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes too. Despite the obstacles, this story is one of warmth with some well-timed humor. It’s a movie that doesn’t preach, doesn’t take itself too seriously and teaches by example. You can’t help but be inspired. A reminder that we are all in this thing together. A little kindness and understanding (and a prayer or two) can go a long way.
It is worth noting that during the 79th British Academy Film Awards held last February, Aramayo won two awards for I Swear for Best Actor in a Leading Role and the EE Rising Star Award. John Davidson was in attendance and had a few outbursts including uttering the n-word while Black actors, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting the first category of the night. Things did not go well. Davidson released the following statement after the event:
“I wanted to thank BAFTA and everyone involved in the awards last night for their support and understanding and inviting me to attend the broadcast. I appreciated the announcement to the auditorium in advance of the recording, warning everyone that my tics are involuntary and are not a reflection of my personal beliefs. I was heartened by the round of applause that followed this announcement and felt welcomed and understood in an environment that would normally be impossible for me.
In addition to the announcement by Alan Cumming, the BBC and BAFTA, I can only add that I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning. I was in attendance to celebrate the film of my life, I Swear, which more than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits and manifestations of Tourette Syndrome.
I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette’s community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so. I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.“
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