Joey Magidson
Tourette’s Syndrome is, to this day (just look at the whole BAFTA controversy), a misunderstood disease. So, there’s a potentially important element to making a biopic about the life of John Davidson. Now, I Swear is a good film, by the numbers as it is, but it has one element that’s heads and tales above everything else, which sells it on its own. That’s the lead performance by Robert Aramayo, which is legitimately spectacular. He’s the reason to see this movie, aside from learning a bit about Tourette’s.
I Swear hits all the expected inspirational biopic beats, which does mean that, despite the affliction not being something we see taken seriously on screen very much, there’s a sense that we’ve seen the film before. It’s not any specific moments, of course, but the roadmap that the movie follows. So, it’s a good thing that Aramayo is as good as he is, as it makes the flick sing once he becomes the focus.
This is the story of John Davidson (Scott Ellis Watson as a boy, Aramayo as an adult), who at twelve years old began displaying numerous tics, including uncontrollable cursing. Until then, he’d been an aspiring soccer player, though as this affliction becomes more and more a frequent occurrence in his life, that gets put on hold. His parents and teachers don’t understand him, think he’s just lashing out, and mostly chastise or punish him. It all gets too much for John, who doesn’t understand himself what’s going on, ultimately leading to a suicide attempt.
Picking up at age 25, we meet John as he’s navigating the world with what’s now known as Tourette’s Syndrome. He still has a struggle in his relationship with his mother Heather (Shirley Henderson), though kind souls like Dottie Achenbach (Maxine Peake) and Tommy Trotter (Peter Mullan) see him as more than just his disease. It’s through their help that he’s able to get a job, make his way, and sometimes even avoid trouble. Eventually, John will become an advocate for understanding Tourette’s Syndrome, to the point where he’ll honored by the Queen herself.
Robert Aramayo gives one of the best performances I’ve seen so far this year, which means he also gave one of the top performances of last year as well (which more than explains his BAFTA win). The way he depicts Tourette’s Syndrome is effective and tragic, never playing it up for the camera. Your heart breaks for John because of Robert. It’s a stunning turn that does deserve to be remembered. Both Shirley Henderson and Maxine Peake turn in good work, while Peter Mullan is very strong as one of the seminal figures in John’s life. In addition to Scott Ellis Watson, supporting players include David Carlyle, Steven Cree, and more.
Filmmaker Kirk Jones is very respectful of Tourette’s Syndrome, which is probably a prerequisite for this flick working. There’s no sugarcoating here, even though it’s clearly respectful and aiming to be uplifting. His direction and writing are by the book and in service of the character, which makes how great Aramayo is stand out even more. I Swear wouldn’t be the same without him, so credit to Jones for getting the casting right. The film is what it is because of Aramayo.
I Swear would be a well-intentioned yet potentially forgettable biopic if not for Robert Aramayo. Because of him, not only do we have a good movie here, but we also have something that can help change how Tourette’s Syndrome is looked at. Take away the awards show controversy, which has nothing to do with the work, and you have a biopic with a hidden star in Aramayo at its core.
SCORE: ★★★
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