I SWEAR (2025, UK, 120m, 15) ****
Drama
dist. StudioCanal (UK); pr co. Tempo Productions / One Story High
d. Kirk Jones; w. Kirk Jones; pr. Georgia Bayliff, Kirk Jones, Piers Tempest; ph. James Blann (Colour | 1.85:1); m. Stephen Rennicks; ed. Sam Sneade; pd. Sabrina Linder; ad. David Konix.
cast: Robert Aramayo (John Davidson), Peter Mullan (Tommy Trotter), Maxine Peake (Dottie Achenbach), Shirley Henderson (Heather Davidson), Scott Ellis Watson (Young John Davidson), Paul Donnelly (Billy Dean), Douglas Rankine (Doctor Colin Hargreaves), Adam McNamara (PC/Inspector MacCullen), Chris Dixon (James), David Carlyle (Chris Achenbach), Steven Cree (David Davidson), Anthony Capaldi (Andy), Andrea Bisset (Lucy), Francesco Piacentini-Smith (Murray), Gordon Peaston (Councillor Spalding), Christina Modestou (Alison), Isla Mercer (Young Caroline), Andrew McPhail (James’ friend), Malcolm McFadyen (Police officer), Catriona McArthur (Sharon Davidson).
A funny, sad, and sincere telling of the story of John Davidson, a Tourette’s Syndrome sufferer and campaigner, which skilfully blends the harsh reality of living with the condition with the heartwarming acceptance of those who wish to help. The result is a very human story that, despite a certain level of superficiality, still manages to hit emotional depths through the exceptional performance of Aramayo and the sensitive handling by writer-director Jones. There is also great support in key roles from Peake, Mullan and Henderson. The film’s greatest achievement is in its raising awareness of an indiscriminate condition, which will hopefully increase acceptance of those affected by it and stimulate further studies into how to live with it.
