A new biopic appears following caretaker and Tourette’s awareness activist John Davidson, and his astonishing fight to make himself and his disorder seen.
In 1980s Galashiels, a teenage John is starting secondary school when he begins “acting out”, in ways he can’t control and his family cannot cope with. As it alienates them and repeatedly devastates his life, he begins to find stronger connections and an understanding of a then-obscure condition – and with it, the chance to improve his and others’ lives. Made famous by the documentary John’s Not Mad, Davidson’s life is retold with modesty, sensitivity, and humour by writer-director Kirk Jones (Waking Ned).
A down-to-earth focus, first-rate performances (from a cast including Maxine Peake and Peter Mullan) and deep empathy give extraordinary weight to his journey, and astonishment at what he has accomplished.
