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What might vicars do during their leisure hours? Not long ago, this writer went accompanied by two friends, each fellow pastors, to watch a new picture named I Swear. Based on its trailer, I understood which it focused on an individual diagnosed with TS. What the author didn’t know turned out to be that this story was based on a true-life figure: the subject, who starred in a 1989 film and earned an MBE in recognition of their campaigns to inform the public regarding this syndrome and help others with TS.

Exploring TS

Before that film, most people had never been aware of the condition. Nearly four decades afterwards, everybody sort of understands the basics, but it remains treated as comic material – notably in the comedy circuit.

Based on the teaser, it was evident that the film aimed to walk a fine line through simultaneously using the obvious funny moments from someone shouting socially awkward things during awkward situations while also striving to carry on the protagonist's efforts in raising awareness in a tactful and considerate manner. Hopefully it’s not a spoiler to mention it succeeded on both counts – but naturally this became clear by the end.

An Unexpected Theater Incident

As the movie was starting, a teenager seated in front of us unexpectedly exclaimed multiple curse words. At first, I thought this was a prank – although one in very poor taste. Yet, it was soon evident that here was a real-life person diagnosed with Tourette's: a teenager alongside a parent.

And as the film progressed, so did the teenager – and there was no visible action from neither his father or anybody in the audience. I felt slightly conflicted. Clearly, this represented an important moment for this family to watch their certainly incredibly difficult daily reality shown on the big screen, and I felt glad which they were having that opportunity. But was it OK that we and the entire audience in the auditorium could barely understand the film as a result? Would the cinema have been able to arrange a dedicated session – like most of the chains often provide for neurodiverse people usually?

A Moral Conflict

I feel embarrassed to confess that I actually contemplated saying something – not to the boy’s father himself (I am no an insensitive person), but to the theater management at the venue. However, each of the author's obviously kinder friends seemed to have come to terms with the events. Moreover, in the back of my mind was the admittedly fictional incident from the TV series where a character's Andy Millman protests about a child making too much noise in public, not realizing that the child has a genetic condition. He endured the subsequent public criticism – so my objection would have been even more inappropriate since I was aware the teenager literally was unable to control it.

A Transformative Awakening

Fortunately, my better nature won over then something extraordinary happened during the next hour and a half. First, I simply got used to the initially distracting noise. Later, when the movie built to a peak where viewers witnessed the incredibly liberating influence which the protagonist's Tourette’s camps offered for so many people, I experienced humbled and extremely fortunate to share this time alongside individuals who had real experience not just as actors – even though the lead actor's acting in the role was excellent and in my view, Oscar-caliber.

I’ve had similar experiences at the movies in the past – viewing The King’s Speech alongside an acquaintance with a speech impediment and his language pathologist spouse, alternatively bumping into real ex-soldiers from D-Day after the show following Saving Private Ryan – but that experience was on another level. It resembled an immersive experience, however instead of motion seats and water mists spraying the audience, the characters were present alongside stating, “This goes beyond entertainment. It’s my reality.” Then using foul language. Spunk for milk.

An Uplifting Outcome

So no complaint was made. As the movie concluded, I went so far as to approached and expressed gratitude to the young man – aged fourteen – along with the parent, his father, for the privilege of sharing the space, which without a doubt enriched the film deeper than what we expected. We then had a long chat then took a selfie together – when everyone present shouted a curse to support Joe.

Key Takeaways

It is urged that people to watch this brilliant film , if you’re lucky enough to find yourself in the same theater with someone like Joe, {don’t be a nim