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What do religious leaders do during their own leisure hours? Last week, this writer ventured accompanied by a couple of colleagues, both fellow vicars, to watch a new film called I Swear. From its preview, I knew which it centered on a man living with TS. However, what the author didn’t know was that this story depicted a real person: the central character, that appeared in a previous 1989 program and earned a royal honor in recognition of their work to teach people regarding Tourette's and help those affected.

Understanding Tourette Syndrome

Before this film, many individuals did not known about TS. Nearly 40 years since then, everybody generally understands what it is, but it’s still seen as comic material – notably on the comedy circuit.

Based on the trailer, it was evident which the production aimed to balance by simultaneously capitalising on the obvious humorous aspects from a person uttering highly offensive things at inopportune times and attempting to continue the protagonist's efforts in promoting understanding through a tactful and considerate manner. Hopefully it’s not revealing too much to say it was successful in both aspects – however obviously I only knew that once the film concluded.

A Surprising Cinema Experience

As the feature was starting, a youth seated ahead from us unexpectedly exclaimed a series of obscenities. Initially, I thought it was a gag – albeit a joke quite offensive. But, it was soon evident which this was a real-life person diagnosed with Tourette syndrome: an adolescent accompanied by his dad.

While the movie continued, the same with the teenager – and there was no apparent intervention by neither his father nor anybody in the audience. I felt a bit torn. Undoubtedly, this represented an important moment for them to experience the no doubt incredibly difficult daily reality portrayed in cinema, so I felt glad which they were having this experience. Yet was it fair if we and the entire audience in the theater could hardly hear the film as a result? Would the venue have been able to organize an exclusive showing – like several theaters frequently offer for neurodiverse people usually?

A Moral Struggle

It's regrettable to confess that I genuinely contemplated complaining – however, not directly to them himself (I’m not an insensitive person), instead to the manager of the theatre. Yet, each of the author's evidently more compassionate fellow vicars seemed to have come to terms to what was happening. Plus, I recalled there was an fictional yet memorable incident from the TV series where Ricky Gervais’s Andy Millman protests regarding a child causing a disturbance during a meal, ignorant which the child has a genetic condition. He barely survived the resultant negative attention – so my objection could have been much more severe because I understood the individual simply was unable to control it.

A Profound Experience

Luckily, my better nature won over then something extraordinary happened during the next hour and a half. First, I gradually adapted to the once-intrusive sounds. Later, as the film reached its climax and viewers witnessed the deeply freeing influence that the protagonist's support groups provided for many participants, I felt modest and very privileged to share this moment with those with firsthand knowledge not only portrayed on screen – although the lead actor's portrayal as the character was superb and in my view, deserving of recognition.

There have been similar experiences at the movies previously – watching The King’s Speech with a friend who stutters and their language pathologist spouse, alternatively meeting real ex-soldiers from D-Day after the show after Saving Private Ryan – yet this was in a different league. It resembled an enhanced viewing, however instead of physical effects or sprays of water touching viewers, the people were sitting beside you stating, “This isn’t just entertainment. It’s my reality.” Then swearing. A memorable line.

An Uplifting Outcome

So I didn’t complain. As the credits rolled, I actually approached and expressed gratitude to the young man – who was fourteen – and the parent, guardian, for the honor of sharing the space, that certainly enriched the film deeper than it would have been. Next conversed at length then snapped a photo together – when we all shouted an expletive in solidarity with Joe.

Final Thoughts

It is urged that all viewers to go and see this excellent film and should you’re lucky enough to end up sharing the cinema with a person experiencing Tourette's, {don’t be a nim