Caught that one about the 3 clergymen that ventured into the movie theater – and were schooled an important lesson in tolerance?
What do clergy members participate in in their spare time? Last week, this writer went accompanied by two companions, both other vicars, to watch a new picture named I Swear. Based on its preview, I knew that the film focused on a man living with Tourette syndrome. However, what I didn’t know was the fact this story was based on a true-life figure: the subject, that was featured in a previous 1989 documentary and received a royal honor for his campaigns to inform the public about Tourette's and assist those affected.
Exploring TS
Before this documentary, most people had never known about Tourette syndrome. Almost four decades later, everybody generally knows its nature, but it is often viewed as comic material – especially within comedy shows.
From the trailer, it seemed which this movie aimed to have its cake and eat it by simultaneously leveraging the obvious funny moments of someone yelling the most inappropriate things during inopportune times while also striving to further Davidson’s work in raising awareness through a compassionate approach. Hopefully it’s not revealing too much to state it was successful in both aspects – however obviously this realization came by the end.
An Unexpected Theater Incident
When the movie commenced, a teenager seated in front from us abruptly exclaimed a series of profanities. At first, it appeared this was a prank – although one highly inappropriate. But, it was soon evident which this was someone genuinely with TS: a teenager accompanied by his dad.
While the story continued, so did the teenager – with no visible response by either his dad nor anybody among the viewers. I felt somewhat divided. Undoubtedly, it was an important moment for the boy and his father to experience the undoubtedly extremely challenging life portrayed in cinema, so I felt glad that they got this chance. But was it acceptable that we and everyone else in the theater struggled to follow the film as a result? Could the venue have been able to organize a special screening – as many cinemas frequently offer for those with conditions typically?
An Ethical Struggle
It's regrettable to confess that I genuinely considered saying something – not to the parent personally (I’m not heartless), but to the theater management at the venue. However, both of the author's evidently more charitable fellow vicars seemed to have resigned themselves to the events. Moreover, in the back of my mind was the fictional yet memorable episode from Extras where a character's the protagonist objects about a child being disruptive during a meal, unaware which the child has a genetic condition. He barely survived the subsequent bad press – so my offence would have been even more inappropriate because I knew the teenager literally couldn’t help it.
An Eye-Opening Experience
Thankfully, my compassion took over and a remarkable event occurred over the following 90 minutes. First, I simply adapted to the previously bothersome sounds. Later, when the story approached its conclusion where viewers witnessed the profoundly empowering influence which Davidson’s support groups provided on so many people, I experienced awed as well as deeply honored to experience this event alongside individuals who’d actually lived it not just portrayed on screen – even though the lead actor's portrayal as the character was excellent , in my view, award-worthy.
I have experienced analogous moments in the cinema in the past – watching The King’s Speech with an acquaintance who stutters and their speech therapist spouse, alternatively bumping into former servicemen of World War II after the show following Saving Private Ryan – yet that experience was in a different league. It was like a 4D screening, but instead of physical effects or sprays of water touching viewers, the characters were sitting alongside declaring, “This isn’t just a movie. It’s my reality.” Then swearing. A memorable line.
A Positive Resolution
So no complaint was made. As the credits rolled, I even spoke with Joe – aged fourteen – along with his father, guardian, for the gift of their presence, which undoubtedly made our experience even more profound compared to what we expected. Afterwards had a long chat then snapped a photo with everyone – when everyone present exclaimed an expletive to support the young man.
Final Thoughts
It is urged that people to go and see this excellent movie , should the opportunity arises to find yourself in the same theater with an individual with TS, {don’t be a nim
