- Rating: ★★★½ stars
- Verdict: "I Swear" is now most well-known for its controversial subject: John Davidson. But while Davidson's BAFTA outburst is etched in memory, it's Robert Aramayo's BAFTA-winning performance that should be the lasting takeaway from this biopic. It's a perfectly fine movie, but Aramayo's on-screen portrayal of Tourette's requires an impressive physicality and deftness to execute properly, which he undeniably does.
- Where to watch: See "I Swear" in theaters now
When I mention "I Swear," you probably think of the controversy at this year's BAFTAs. This biographical drama is about John Davidson, a Scottish Tourette's advocate who himself suffers from the disorder. It's what caused him to shout a racial slur at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo during the ceremony, which the BBC bafflingly chose to air despite airing the ceremony on a two-hour delay.
It's a shame that this rightfully awful moment is what this biopic will forever be associated with, though. Obviously, it's a shame because you would rather it never happened, but also, it takes away from what is a truly incredible performance from Robert Aramayo as Davidson. It should be a breakout role for him; an award-winning breakout role at that. But now he risks having the moment overshadowed by something out of his control.
Ironically, this new reality is oddly fitting for "I Swear." The film, which, aside from Aramayo's stellar performance, feels like a well-crafted public service announcement, is aimed at highlighting that Tourette's is uncontrollable. The physical and verbal tics can't be helped; it's a struggle to even try to manage them. There's even a scene in the movie about how Davidson uncontrollably unleashes racial slurs at his Black barrister, much like how Davidson would, earlier this year, do the same to some of his fellow BAFTA Awards attendees.
Robert Aramayo's performance in 'I Swear' avoids being a painful caricature, and instead is a masterclass in physical acting
When most people who know anything about Tourette's think about the condition, verbal tics — specifically swearing — are what come to mind. This is certainly among the symptoms, and Aramayo gets plenty of chances to utter curses at people throughout the duration of "I Swear."
The problem is that sometimes this leads to unintentional comedy. The movie is smart about this, though, and gets one of these unavoidably hilarious moments out of the way right at the beginning, when Davidson yells "F*** the Queen" during his own Member of the British Empire award ceremony.
Aramayo also handles the task well. There's no over-the-top behavior when it comes to portraying John's verbal tics on-screen. His delivery is very natural, as are his nearly instant apologies following any such outbursts. It's also important to note that, while verbal tics are often vulgar, they aren't always. The intent is to cause discomfort, which doesn't need to be done through cursing. There's one scene where he throws his mother's words back in her face, years later, and it's as devastating as any insult he could have hurled.
Verbal tics also aren't the only way Tourette's presents itself. John and the others we see with the condition throughout the film have physical tics as well. John, in particular, strikes out at people on his right at least a few times in the movie. There's also shaking, convulsions, etc. Done poorly, it could look like Aramayo is having a seizure rather than physically manifesting John's Tourette's. But Aramayo, just like with the verbal tics, delivers the physical side of the performance with balance and care. It's truly one of the most impressive performances I've seen this year, and it so easily could have been one of the worst if done improperly.
Verdict: You can wait for 'I Swear' to hit streaming, but you should watch it
While I liked "I Swear" a great deal, and I definitely think it shouldn't be relegated to the scrap heap due to its controversial subject, I do think you could wait to see it on one of the best streaming services instead of seeing it in theaters. It's a relatively intimate movie, and there's no breathtaking cinematography or thunderous score that merits an IMAX screen. Your TV and sound system at home will handle it just fine.
But I do think that everyone should see this movie once. It's largely just fine to good. It feels like a polished PSA about what Tourette's is and how it works, and to an extent, that's what the movie is. It's very much aimed at educating its audience. However, Aramayo's performance is truly spectacular and well-deserving of its BAFTA Awards win. So if you don't think you'll catch on streaming, make some time for it at your local cinema.
"I Swear" is in theaters now
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