It is based on a true story but some find it difficult to watch
An award winning and 100% rated drama that ended up causing controversy at the BAFTA ceremony has just been added to Netflix.
I Swear has just been included on the streamer’s extensive library as of today (March 10). Originally released in cinemas for a limited run just last year, the title tells the true life story of John Davidson, who grew up with Tourette syndrome in 1980s Scotland.
According to the synopsis, he was diagnosed at just 15 and was targeted as ‘insane’ by his peers. The film shows how he struggled with a condition few had witnessed.
He eventually becomes a campaigner to increase public awareness and fighting for acceptance of the condition of Tourette’s as an adult. He finds his life’s purpose and accepted his MBE from the Queen in 2019.
While the film is a dramatised version of John’s life, he has appeared in documentaries before. He starred in a BBC film back in 1988 and a documentary released in 2009 called I Swear I Can’t Help It.
The biopic was welcomed with overwhelmingly positive reviews by critics upon its release. So much so that it boasts a perfect 100% rating on website Rotten Tomatoes.
However, more recently the film’s subject was attached with some controversy. While leading man Robert Aramayo picked up the BAFTA for Best Actor thanks to his performance, it was not the most talked about event of the night.
The subject of the film John Davidson was also in attendance on the night. His presence became apparent by those watching along from home at first as they heard some shouting during the show.
Actor and host of The Traitors US Alan Cumming was presenting and he asked for patience from the audience at the time. He told them during the show: “You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience. Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
However, in one instance, while actors Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on the stage, a racial slur was shouted out by John and included on the BBC’s broadcast. It eventually lead to the stream of the awards ceremony being removed from the iPlayer.
In an interview after the Baftas, Davidson has said the BBC should have “worked harder to prevent anything that I said” being broadcast. He added that he shouted about 10 different offensive words during Sunday’s ceremony as a result of his tics.
Some have argued that the incident only highlights the importance of the film itself. As one person posted online: “I Swear is an audacious biopic that has no issues tackling the roots of a serious topic, and its dedication to that task does lead to some scenes that will certainly be upsetting to some viewers.”
Another added: “Robert Aramayo delivers a fearless, deeply human performance in this compassionate biopic. I Swear balances humour and heartbreak while shedding light on Tourette syndrome, reminding us how much empathy society still owes.”
While a third commented: “Honestly I left the cinema seriously thinking if I’d ever seen a better movie! It’s so perfect from the casting to the time jumps. It’s a beautiful written story that really captures the essence of what it is to be different and how hard it must be to live with Tourette’s. Several goosebumps moments with a lot of humour!”
Someone else said: “This is a fabulous film which made me laugh and cry in equal measure. It captured the difficulties and complexities of living with Tourette’s syndrome with a startling level of authenticity. The acting was superb and I came out realising that I’d seen something very special. I’ll be thinking about it for weeks.”
I Swear is streaming on Netflix.
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