I Swear

Dir: Kirk Jones, UK, 2025, Drama/Comedy/True Story.
Robert Aramayo, Maxine Peake, Shirley Henderson, Peter Mullan.
BAFTA Winner for Best Actor and Best Casting.
“I Swear begins in irreverent form. As John Davidson lines up to receive his MBE from Queen Elizabeth II, his nerves get the better of him. ‘Fuck the Queen!’ he blurts out. It’s a deliciously iconoclastic moment, and one that serves both sides of this delightful film’s two wolves: the warm-and-fuzzy teatime template... and the involuntarily foul-mouthed subject that it tracks. Directed by Kirk Jones (Waking Ned Devine), I Swear tells the true story of a Scottish man living with Tourette syndrome, at a time when public awareness of the condition was virtually nonexistent. After that royal run-in, the story flashes back to 1983, where we meet John as a young boy. He is happy and popular... When involuntary tics start to creep into his voice and mannerisms, though, his life starts to unravel...  By the time we meet John as an adult he is treated like a second-class citizen. It is only when he meets Dottie... a mental health nurse brimming with gentle warmth and kindness, that life becomes tolerable... Another of the film’s strengths: it is very, very funny. Without ever punching down, it recognises the inherent absurdity of John’s sweariest tics... This is a film which does justice to those living with Tourette’s, honouring without judging, celebrating without condescending... It’s sweet, funny, and unusually moving.” – John Nugent, Empire

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 120 min

Rating: 14A