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What might religious leaders engage in in their own leisure hours? Not long ago, I ventured with two colleagues, each other pastors, to watch a recently released movie titled I Swear. Based on the teaser, I understood that the film centered on an individual diagnosed with Tourette syndrome. However, what I didn’t understand turned out to be that it depicted a real person: the subject, who appeared in an earlier 1989 film and received an MBE for his work to teach the public about Tourette's as well as help fellow sufferers.

Understanding Tourette's

Before this programme, the majority hadn't been aware of the condition. Nearly 40 years later, people generally recognizes what it is, yet it is often treated as comic material – particularly on the comedy circuit.

From the trailer, it seemed that this movie was going to try to balance by both using the obvious humorous aspects from a person uttering the most inappropriate words at awkward situations while also striving to further the protagonist's mission of promoting understanding through a respectful and sensitive manner. Hopefully this isn't revealing too much to state it was successful in both aspects – but of course this became clear after watching.

A Startling Theater Incident

As the film began, a youth sitting in the row of us abruptly shouted out a string of obscenities. For a minute, it appeared it was a joke – albeit a joke in very poor taste. However, it quickly became apparent that here was a real-life person with Tourette's: a young man alongside his father.

While the movie progressed, the same with the teenager – and there was no apparent action from either his father or anybody among the viewers. This led to somewhat divided. Obviously, this represented a significant event for this family to see their certainly extremely challenging daily reality shown on the big screen, and it was positive that they received this experience. Yet was it fair if we along with other viewers in the theater struggled to follow the film due to the noise? Could the theater have been able to organize a special screening – like several theaters frequently offer to those with conditions in general?

A Personal Conflict

It's regrettable to admit which I actually considered raising the issue – however, not directly to them personally (I’m not a monster), but to the manager of the cinema. But, both of the author's evidently more compassionate colleagues had accepted to the events. Additionally, in the back of my mind there was an imagined but impactful scene in the TV series when a character's Andy Millman protests about a young person being disruptive in a restaurant, ignorant which the child has a genetic condition. He faced backlash the resultant negative attention – so my objection could have been much more severe because I was aware the boy simply was unable to control it.

A Profound Awakening

Thankfully, my better nature won over then a remarkable event happened during the next film duration. Initially, I just adapted to the previously bothersome sounds. Then, as the film reached its climax where we saw the incredibly liberating impact which the protagonist's Tourette’s camps provided for numerous individuals, I felt modest as well as extremely fortunate to be sharing this event with those who’d actually lived it not only as actors – although the lead actor's acting in the role was superb and personally, award-worthy.

I’ve had similar experiences in the cinema in the past – watching The King’s Speech with a friend with a speech impediment and their language pathologist spouse, or bumping into actual veterans of World War II after the show following Saving Private Ryan – but that experience was in a different league. It was like an immersive experience, but rather than motion seats and splashes spraying the audience, the people were sitting alongside declaring, “This is more than a film. It’s my reality.” Then swearing. Spunk for milk.

A Positive Conclusion

So I didn’t complain. As the film ended, I went so far as to went and thanked Joe – who was 14 – and the parent, guardian, for the honor of their presence, that certainly made our experience more meaningful than a standard screening. We then conversed at length and snapped a photo with everyone – when we all shouted a curse to support the boy.

Final Thoughts

I would strongly encourage people to view this excellent movie , if the opportunity arises to find yourself watching alongside with an individual with TS, {don’t be a nim