I Swear

It’s 1983 and Scottish lad John (Robert Aramayo) is popular at school and a star football player. But as he overnight develops verbal and physical tics, he becomes a social pariah. It’s only when he meets understanding local mum (and mental health nurse) Dottie (Maxine Peake) that his path to acceptance – both by himself and society – begins to become clear.

The subject of the iconic documentary John’s Not Mad, the story of John Davidson is inspiring as they come, but as told by Kirk Jones (Waking Ned, Nanny McPhee), it’s also devilishly funny. While the trajectory of this feel good story is comfortingly familiar, the quality of acting on display raises it to new heights. Maxine Peake’s warmth alongside Peter Mullan’s gruff but loving support worker are charming, but it’s a newcomer Robert Aramayo’s sensitive performance that grounds this British heartwarmer.