Ep. 8: Talking I Swear with Director Kirk Jones

In Episode 8 of The Cinephile Mind Podcast, we take a closer look at I Swear with both a quick review and a director conversation.

Spenser begins the episode with a spoiler-free review of I Swear, highlighting the film’s strengths, tone, and overall impact. Then we sit down with director Kirk Jones to discuss the creative process behind the film, its themes, and what audiences should take away from the story.

Whether you're interested in filmmaker insights or discovering new films to watch, this episode offers both perspective and behind-the-scenes conversation.

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Transcript

Review

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Had the opportunity to see an advanced screening of I Swear, which you may have seen trailers or know about it from the recognition it received during this year's most recent BAFTAs. I Swear tells the story of John Davidson, man from rural Scotland, and his journey learning and living with Tourette's and the impact his condition has on him and those around him. Robert Aramaio stars as John Davidson, and he truly delivers a memorable and moving performance, completely worthy of the praise and accolades that he has already been recognized, including the BAFTA Award for Best Actor at the 2026 Awards, where he took home the prize in really one of the more competitive category in recent memory. You know, he was up against Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothy Chalamet, Ethan Hawke, Michael B. Jordan. Truly, any one of those could have walked away with the award, and we would have said, yeah, that was a deserving winner. So it was a bit of a surprise, I think, that he took home the award. But having now seen the film, I can't sit here and say it wasn't well deserved. Notably, this film was ineligible for the 2026 Oscars due to it not having a US release last year. But it will be eligible for next year's awards, given that it is being widely released in the US later this month. So it'll be interesting to see how this film is received at next year's Academy Awards, given the amount of time that will have elapsed between its initial release in the UK last year, its April release in the US this year, and then of course the actual award ceremony, which won't take place until March of 2027. So quite a gap in between when it's first release and everyone's kind of first hearing about it. You know, I'm hopeful that it can have some momentum and you know, get some nominations. But of course, I think there does tend to be a little bit of a recency bias. And so you will see the more notable films be released later in the year. And so, of course, that's when the films that will be top of mind. Uh, so it'll just be interesting to see how it plays out. Obviously, we saw last year Sinners had, I believe, an April release, and it took home tons of awards. Despite all that, this film packs humor and heart. It really highlights the pain that this condition causes while also acknowledging the hilarity that can result from it. I mean, for something like Tourette's, while certainly more accepted in society today than it was 40 years ago, where the early parts of this film take place, obviously we still have a ways to go. It's still not something that's really widely understood. So I hope it can shed light on that and the realities of Tourette's and bring more education and understanding on how society can support and be more open to those who have this condition. But the film is truly phenomenal. I haven't stopped thinking about it since I saw it. It's incredibly funny and moving and heartbreaking. The tone of the film really struck me because I felt that you know it can be a challenge for a filmmaker to really nail the tone when you're dealing with a sensitive subject and condition such as this, which you know can be controversial. So, you know, how do you how do you treat it? Right? You know, is it gonna be a sad story? Is it gonna be a funny story? Is it gonna be a mix of both? And if so, how do you toe that line without going too far in one direction or the other? And I think you know, Kirk Jones, the director and writer of this movie, just completely nailed it. And, you know, I, you know, was laughing, it made me sad. I think he just really expertly towed that line from a tone perspective, it really nails it. In fact, I actually had the opportunity to speak with writer and director Kirk Jones about this film where I asked him about it and how he what his approach was to executing on the tone. Hi, Kirk. I'm speaking to you from New York this afternoon. Uh honored to spend a few minutes with you. I got to see a screening of the film last night, and I truly haven't stopped thinking about it. It's a phenomenal piece of work. Thank you. I'd like to ask you about tone, which when dealing with you know a sensitive topic such as this, I feel like it can be a bit challenging to nail. But this seems to really expertly balance humor with some very grounded emotional moments. What was the key to getting that tone right without you know tipping too far in one direction or the other?

SPEAKER_00 5:01

I th I think when I look back, my process was to sit with John Davidson and ask him to tell me every single detail of his life and every story, especially those involving Tourette's, all of those experiences. And it was very clear when he was talking to me about the experiences whether they were emotionally engaging or upsetting or hilarious or tragic. So listening to John and listening to John's view of that experience determined whether a scene was, you know, gonna make people laugh or cry, or that's that's how I inserted them into the script. And I just tried to tell them as honestly as he had told it to me, because I figured that if he told me a story and recounted an experience that made me feel like I was gonna cry, if I told it honestly, it would hopefully have the same reaction from an audience. If he told me something that was hilarious, usually because no one got hurt, because the humor was extraordinary, because he laughed and other people laughed at the time, then that said to me, This is a funny scene, and we can laugh with John and with the community. It's not really any more complex than that. I don't think. I mean, at the end of the day, it's just my instinct. You know, I listen to his stories and I and I put them into the script. I I know that I am drawn to, and for many years have been drawn to, films which mix humour and emotion together. And this just seemed to me to be the most extreme example because of the condition of mixing those two elements.

SPEAKER_01 6:47

Do you have a personal favorite moment from the film or funniest moment that stands out to you?

SPEAKER_00 6:53

There's a scene that takes place behind the community center, and it's where John sits with Lucy, and she's the young girl who's been brought to see him for advice by her parents. They have that exchange in the back of the car where and that's a real thing. When people with Tourette's get together, they trigger each other. And when a group of people with Tourette's, you know, we used 30 people who had Tourette's, when they get together in the room, they trigger each other as well. But after the car seat scene, John and Lucy sit quietly in the back alley behind the community center. And Lucy is asking John, you know, were you bullied at school? You know, do you do what I do? I have OCD, I have to touch the stove. And that was just such a beautiful scene. So that screen that scene, for example, was scripted, and John and Andrea conveyed everything that I had scripted, but in the most beautifully relaxed, improvised way. And and I think for me that that's that's a dream scene that I've written that the actors take to another level. It was a three-minute, three and a half minute take. I I put it into the film in its entirety. I didn't edit it. And I knew when I was sat on set and I was looking on the monitor that I wasn't gonna touch it or change it. I just thought it was a beautiful scene.

SPEAKER_01 8:25

Yeah, I absolutely loved it. And you know, congrats on the recognition that I'd already got, you know, with Robert taking home the BAFTA best actor. You know, I'm looking forward to seeing how it does in the US as well. I appreciate your time today. Thanks so much. It's been an honor to speak with you and best of luck on the US release.

SPEAKER_00 8:41

Thank you. I appreciate your time and your interest. Thank you.

SPEAKER_01 8:44

Great, thank you.