Film Review — I Swear

Kirk Jones’s biopic of John Davidson raises awareness of Tourette’s syndrome with humorous and heartrending aplomb

Credit: StudioCanal

I went into this slightly dreading a worthy-but-dull, Oscar-bait film. I emerged deeply moved by a remarkable true story that is, by turns, humorous, heartrending, and hopeful. I Swear concerns Scottish John Davidson, who was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome. The film chronicles the many challenges he has faced, his endeavours to provide help for others with the condition, as well as how he has raised awareness of it across the UK. His efforts were ultimately rewarded by an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II.

The film opens in 2019, as John (Robert Aramayo) is about to receive said MBE. But he’s in a panic, as he fears he’ll say something inappropriate to the Queen. We then flash back to 1983, as the younger John (Scott Ellis Watson) begins attending his local secondary school in Galashiels. He has a loving family and is well-liked by his peers. At one point, he’s confident enough to ask a girl out on a date to the cinema. He also has potential as a professional footballer, with a talent scout brought in to assess his considerable goalkeeping abilities. John and his father (Steven Cree) are excited about what this opportunity may bring.