Carl Roberts 
“Kirk Jones’ I Swear is one of the highlights of the film year. Featuring an incredible performance from Robert Aramayo, the film is a must-see.”
I Swear is a British biographical comedy-drama. Kirk Jones wrote and directed this film, which reveals the true story of John Davidson, a man diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome. Davidson has fought passionately and continues to advocate for better awareness and understanding of the condition, which has often faced neglect for many years. His efforts have brought Tourette’s syndrome to the forefront, compelling the world to recognise and acknowledge it. Robert Aramayo portrays Davidson in the film. He gets support from Maxine Peake, Shirley Henderson, and Peter Mullan. The question is, can the film bring to light the condition in a film that does the story justice? Or is it simply something to swear at in disappointment?
THE PREMISE
In 1983, 15-year-old John Davidson lives in the town of Galashiels with his working-class family. John, with hopes and aspirations to become a football player, begins his high school term at Galashiels Academy. He quickly excels in educational levels and gets a spot on the school’s football team. A few weeks into his term, John begins experiencing episodes of tics and uncontrollable echolalia. This leads him to being bullied, along with several incidents outside of school. By the time he attempts suicide by drowning, John’s family discover that he has Tourette’s syndrome. The likes of which are filmed for the BBC documentary John’s Not Mad. The fallout of John’s diagnosis strains his relationship with his mother, Heather.
THOUGHTS
The film is one of the highlights of the year. And I don’t say that lightly. The story and the acting on show here are overwhelmingly brilliant. Anyone going in thinking the film is going to be a heavy drama, you’re in for a shock. The film is both hilariously funny and poignantly sad. From watching John Davidson develop Tourette’s at a young age to witnessing his long-awaited breakthrough today, the film captivates and inspires. It is also inspiring and heartbreaking in equal measures. John’s joy in finally landing a job he loves contrasts sharply with the opening twenty minutes, during which he faces verbal and physical abuse from all sides. The film boldly explores the shocking details of his story without holding back.
ROBERT ARAMAYO
Robert Aramayo gives an outstanding performance as John from the time he assumes the role. Believe me when I say that you are watching a potential BAFTA-winning performance here. Aramayo is completely believable as John. The tics, the shakes and the foul language he peppers throughout the film show us exactly what a suffer of the condition suffers through. The swearing comes across as funny, and we can’t help but laugh at it. But we also question WHY we are laughing. To us, it is funny. To sufferers, it is a curse they live with. Yes, some situations where John cannot help himself from uttering the vilest of foul language do come across as justified and the perfect response to those who verbally abuse him. But we also retreat in horror at the aftermath of some of these instances. Some of which lead to John being hospitalised.
But ultimately, this is a story about the human condition, the lack of understanding and the futility of what John suffers. It also shines a spotlight on the ignorance of most people. John tries to explain his condition to those he swears at. But instead of lending an ear to hear what he has to say, he is constantly attacked, both verbally and physically. It is we who are the guilty parties, not those who suffer from the condition. Robert Aramayo gives us a performance that is one of the best of the year. I would love to see him, at the very least, be nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal here. It is one performance that takes us by surprise, stunning us with its beauty and its heartfelt approach to a sensitive subject.
MAXINE PEAKE
Maxine Peake plays Dottie Achenbach, the mother of one of John’s friends. As a former mental health nurse, Dottie realises John’s condition and never calls him out on it, even when he hits her in the face during one of his tics. She is more of a mother to him than his own mother (played winningly by Shirley Henderson). She encourages him at every turn and helps him out with living arrangements and all he needs to live day-to-day. Maxine Peake is the perfect foil to Aramayo, delivering a brilliantly emotional and heartfelt performance that also deserves award recognition.
VERDICT
Kirk Jones’ I Swear is one of the highlights of the film year. Featuring an incredible performance from Robert Aramayo, the film is a must-see. With superior writing and direction from Kirk, the film never fails to have us laughing, crying, ashamed and joyful at the climax. Over the end credits, the real John Davidson and Dottie Achenbach are featured in film clips and interviews, lending the film a more emotional feel than we would expect. With a fantastic supporting performance from Peter Mullan as Tommy Trotter, John’s boss at his job and probably his best friend in the film, the emotion is never far away. Nothing is too far around the corner, whether it be emotion, heartbreak, or comedy.
The film is a revelation. With superior and award-worthy acting performances, brilliant writing, excellent direction and leaving us with a feeling of hope, the film never fails to deliver. Featuring an opening sequence that will have the audience crying with laughter (you need to see it to believe it!), the film lays its stall out early and never lets up. John Davidson cannot help his bad language. But the audience won’t be swearing at the film as the end credits roll and they leave the cinema. Instead, they will leave feeling educated and enlightened. Superior entertainment.
I Swear is in cinemas now, courtesy of StudioCanal.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
