I SWEAR is a no holds barred account of how a teenage boy goes from being a talented goalie for his local football team in Galashiels to being socially crippled by the symptoms of Tourette Syndrome. Before the preview screening at Edinburgh’s Cameo, writer and director Kirk Jones spoke briefly to the packed audience, mentioning the surfeit of superhero movies that are available in mainstream cinemas, and saying that he preferred to think of people like John Davidson, the protagonist of I SWEAR, as being real life superheroes.
Davidson suffered brutality because of his condition but the film pulls no punches in showing this as part of his journey. From his perceived guilt over his family break up after his diagnosis to his continued turmoil and confusion makes for a challenging but worthwhile watch. The jaw-dropping court scene is a pinnacle of frustration for Davidson and his allies as the unfiltered thoughts, that most folk probably have, reach not just public but influential ears.
While clearly nothing compared to lived experience, watching the impact of the condition can be by turns bone shakingly shocking and darkly funny, but the film invites sympathy, understanding and, as Peter Mullen’s character Tommy Trotter advocates, the need to educate. The fact of John Davidson having had decent patient people such as Dottie Achenbach (Maxine Peake) not only crossing his path but entering his life is affirming. This painful and honest account shows how they, and no doubt others, helped him on his road to having the confidence of using his condition to in turn help others experiencing the same.
A fine Scottish cast including the aforementioned Peter Mullen; Shirley Henderson as John’s Mum, Heather; an uncredited Ron Donachie as his tawse wielding headmaster; and Glasgow actor Scott Ellis Watson, who most impressively takes on the role of the teenage John, bring further authenticity to this vital tale. Just as John Davidson himself is the hero of the story, Robert Aramayo acquires that status in his utterly convincing portrayal of John himself. He is nothing short of incredible not just in his convincing delivery of Scots speech but his whole demeanour shows he has absorbed the highly demanding role.
Cinematography from James Blan shows the delight of gentle Borders hills as well as other chosen film locations such as the sumptuous Glasgow City Chambers standing in for the considerably plainer Palace at Holyrood where John received his MBE in 2019 for services to people with Tourette Syndrome. This impactful film has to be seen to learn that this honour is not the highlight of John’s story!
I SWEAR premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and had its UK premiere at Glasgow’s GFT on Thursday 18th September 2025 with a preview screening at Edinburgh’s Cameo on Friday 19th September and has its UK release on 10th October 2025.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 