Review: Jude in Chains
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 4, 2010
Reporter Misha Tzerko is going undercover.  He wants to do an article on gay reparative therapy, and in order to do so he signs up for a camp that is designed to turn gays into ex-gays.  He doesn't plan to hide his reason for being there, although he does pose as a straight reporter.  To his surprise, Misha meets a man he knows when he comes for registration.  He met Jude Stone only twice, but both times the man made a big impression on him.  Suddenly Misha isn't there just to report on the camp, but also to save Jude--from himself.Jude in Chains is an emotional tale about finding who you really are.  Misha goes in as a reporter, ready to get a story and do a little muckraking if possible.  Once he finds Jude there, he begins to reevaluate his reasons for being at the camp, and he begins to understand more about himself and others.  While the story has a lot to do with Jude's understanding and accepting himself, it's more about Misha's growth.  Misha seems to have it together as an out and proud gay man, but in reality he has his own insecurities and issues he needs to work through in order to fully love someone.  One thing I liked about Jude in Chains is that although the reparative camp is shown as being misguided and ultimately hurtful to gay men, the people there aren't shown as being deliberately evil or cruel.  They're real people too, rather than caricatures, and that adds to the realism.  Misha's journey to learn about himself and save Jude is a very emotional one, and one I could believe in.CassieReviewed for Joyfully Reviewed