Tourette’s syndrome is one of the most misunderstood conditions, especially during the 1980s and 90s, when this film is set. I Swear focuses on one of the individuals who raised awareness of this condition, and without him, society would still look down on those afflicted with this disorder as it did in the past. John Davidson is a remarkably important person, and his life story, depicted in this film, illuminates how difficult childhood and adolescence can be when you feel ashamed and confused by your condition. It is a deeply uncomfortable film at times, while also being genuinely funny without exploiting the tics for mere comic effect.

John (Robert Aramayo) struggles to cope with his new Tourette’s syndrome, with stress causing his parents to split up and straining his relationship with his mother (Shirley Henderson). When he meets his friend’s mum, Dottie (Maxine Peake), they form a close bond, and Dottie insists he live with her instead. Now receiving the support he desperately needs, John tries to accept his condition rather than fight it, securing a job helping the understanding community caretaker Tommy (Peter Mullan). His biggest challenge is interacting with people who don’t understand, and he constantly struggles with miscommunication due to his tics. When a club fight results in charges being pressed, John must prove his Tourette’s syndrome in court, with help from Dottie and Tommy.

I Swear is a classic feel-good British film that they made so many of during the late 90s and early 00s. Kirk Jones does a fantastic job of showing the lesser-seen area of Galashiels and utilises the unique Scottish landscape well to create the first film in a long time that feels genuinely Scottish, with all the mannerisms that come with it. Adding in the explicit nature of John’s tics, you have a film that can often switch between being utterly hilarious and heartbreakingly sad. The locations also shift between the stunning Scottish scenery and gloomy city centre buildings.

Aramayo and Scott Ellis Watson, who plays young John at the start, deliver an incredibly realistic portrayal of Tourette’s and the tics and twitches associated with it. It feels like one of the first representations of disability in a long time that is truly powerful yet never comes across as a parody or an insult to those with the condition. As the viewer, you are fully convinced that this person has Tourette’s without a shadow of doubt. A lot of effort has gone into this performance, and its impact shines through. I firmly believe Aramayo should be in serious award contention for his outstanding portrayal.

The story is agonising at times, with John shouting out truly the worst possible thing at the worst time, or doing something that most of us would find uncomfortable. Being put in his shoes makes you very empathetic for his situation, as there are several scenes that make you squirm in your seat. You feel for John during the entire runtime, and by the end of the film, when he has all of this knowledge and acceptance, you can’t help but feel proud and emotional for the way the narrative unfolds. 

Some moments may feel slow, and the film need not be the full two hours. Yet, director Kirk Jones creates a compelling and hilarious drama that successfully highlights John’s struggles, common among children with Tourette’s syndrome, and fosters awareness and empathy for this condition.