STORYLINE: John Davidson: diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome at a young age which alienated him from his peers, he struggled with a condition few people had witnessed. (IMDb)

    Biopics cover a wide range of subjects, from musicians (the recent release Michael) to historical events (Oppenheimer, 2023) and everything that comes in between.  I Swear, which is now in theaters, shines a cinematic light on  Tourette’s syndrome through the eyes of its subject John Davidson.

    Biopics of this nature can be tricky. The film needs to the story, and in doing so needs to inform audiences about what the illness is, that causes the events of that story.  In films such as Still Alice (2014), the illness, Alzheimer’s, is more known, and that of Tourette’s syndrome, that is featured in I Swear, is not as well known. 

    I Swear breaks down Tourette’s syndrome to a basic level for viewers, and shows how it effects those with the illness, specifically, John Davidson. Being one individual’s struggle with the disease, the audience is presented with a narrow scope of  Tourette’s syndrome.

    With that said I Swear does well with showing the difficulties that Mr Davidson faces with his day to day battle with Tourette’s syndrome.  He struggles with the uncontrollable ticks, and stigmas he faces around them.  Also shown is his own self conscious about the ticks.  I Swear has segments on how his struggles effect his family as well. 

    As it’s heart I Swear is a cookie cutter biopic.  Films such as The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)  2014’s The Theory of Everything had the same formula, and executed it better. 

    I Swear is a cookie biopic that breaks down Tourette’s syndrome to its basic presentation for moviegoers. 

    Until next time, I will see you at the movies!