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Which activities might clergy members do during their own leisure hours? Last week, I ventured accompanied by a couple of friends, both fellow vicars, to view the new picture titled I Swear. Based on its teaser, I knew which the film centered on a person living with Tourette syndrome. However, what I had not understand turned out to be the fact this story depicted an actual individual: the subject, who was featured in a previous late eighties film and received an MBE for his efforts to educate people regarding Tourette's and assist others with TS.

Learning About Tourette Syndrome

Prior to that programme, many individuals hadn't heard of the condition. Almost four decades afterwards, people sort of recognizes the basics, but it’s still viewed as comic material – notably in stand-up comedy.

From previews, it was evident which this movie was going to try to balance by both capitalising on the undeniable funny moments from a person yelling highly offensive phrases during unexpected moments and attempting to further the protagonist's mission of educating the public in a compassionate way. I hope this isn't revealing too much to state it was successful in achieving both goals – but obviously this became clear once the film concluded.

A Surprising Theater Incident

When the feature commenced, a young man seated in the row from us suddenly shouted out multiple obscenities. At first, it seemed this was a gag – although one highly inappropriate. But, it was soon evident that this was an actual individual diagnosed with TS: a teenager accompanied by his father.

While the story continued, so did the teenager – and there was no obvious response by either his father or anybody in the theater. This led to somewhat conflicted. Clearly, it was a significant event for them to watch the no doubt incredibly difficult existence portrayed on the big screen, and I was pleased which they got that opportunity. Yet was it OK that I and the entire audience in the cinema could hardly hear the dialogue as a result? Would the theater have been able to arrange a special screening – as many cinemas regularly do for individuals with special needs usually?

A Personal Dilemma

I’m ashamed to confess that I really thought about complaining – not to the parent himself (I’m not an insensitive person), but to the manager of the cinema. Yet, each of my evidently more compassionate colleagues had come to terms to the situation. Plus, in the back of my mind was the fictional yet memorable incident from the TV series when Ricky Gervais’s Andy Millman complains about a young person causing a disturbance during a meal, ignorant which the child has Down’s syndrome. He endured the subsequent negative attention – so my objection might have been even more inappropriate since I knew the boy simply couldn’t help it.

A Transformative Experience

Thankfully, my better nature prevailed and an amazing thing occurred over the following 90 minutes. Initially, I gradually got used to the once-intrusive noise. Later, as the story approached its conclusion where the audience observed the deeply freeing effect that the protagonist's special programs offered for many participants, I experienced modest as well as very privileged to be sharing this event with those who had real experience not just portrayed on screen – even though the lead actor's performance as Davidson was superb , in my view, award-worthy.

There have been analogous moments while watching films previously – viewing The King’s Speech alongside an acquaintance with a stammer and their language pathologist wife, alternatively meeting actual veterans from D-Day in the foyer following Saving Private Ryan – yet this was on another level. It felt like an enhanced viewing, however instead of the chairs moving about or sprays of water hitting you in the face, the people were present alongside declaring, “This is more than a film. This is my truth.” And then swearing. A memorable line.

A Heartwarming Conclusion

So I didn’t complain. When the movie concluded, I went so far as to approached and expressed gratitude to the teenager – who was fourteen – and Mark, dad, for the gift of being there, which certainly enhanced our viewing more meaningful compared to it would have been. We then conversed at length and snapped a photo together – when we all exclaimed an expletive alongside the boy.

Final Thoughts

I highly recommend people to view this brilliant movie , should the opportunity arises to end up in the same theater with someone like Joe, {don’t be a nim