Diagonaldi Very well executed

Lucybespro It is a performances centric movie

Roman Sampson One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Delight Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

merklekranz "Chaindance" does not feature the usual whacked out Brad Dourif performance. Here he plays a very sympathetic character, severely disabled, with Michael Ironside a lot of the time chained to his wheelchair. The movie explores an uneasy relationship between the handicapped Dourif, and the explosive prisoner, Ironside. I liked "Chaindance" because it is different and not very predictable. Character development is especially good, and Dourif's performance difficult and excellent. Although the story is a real stretch of believability, it is entertaining, and that's enough for me to recommend the film ....... - MERK

bipvg71 DRAMA- J.T. Blake (Michael Ironside)a convict in jail realizes that he can have a second chance in life by volunteering on a work release program supervised by Social Worker Ilene Curtis (Rae Dawn Chong). Paired & chained to severely paralyzed Cerebral Palsy patient Johnny Reynolds (Brad Dourif) he returns each night to prison & ultimately fights a rival convict who controls the wing's male prostitution, drugs, & black market goods with a corrupt guard's approval. J.T. finds the care a disgusting filthy job at first but learning about Johnny's life, intelligence and character he develops heart and compassion. Released on parole he takes Johnny on a visit to his old girlfriend's whorehouse & to a bar to party when his recent rival convict arrives shooting while he's holding Johnny who is killed. They fight viciously & he's beaten badly. His prostitute ex-girlfriend picks up the gun and shoots his rival but is killed by him also! ALSO STARS: Scott Andersen as James, R. Nelson Brown as Greason, Norman Browning as Topper, Leslie Carson as Willy, Billy Croft as Mitch, Don S. Davis as Sergeant,Russell Ferrier as Eric, Bruce Glover as Casey, Deryl Hayes as Policeman Outside Bar, Janet Hodgkinson as Resident In Cafeteria, Lee Jeffrey as Guard #2.

lacrescenta Even though I think the premise of this film (a government agency allowing inmates to work with the disabled) is flawed and un-doable, I still think this is a good film. Suspend your disbelief about this facet of the plot, and enjoy the message it tries to tell.The story is the basic "losers get a second chance" plot, and I always am a sucker for such a movie, as long as it is done well. And I believe this movie is done well. It is flawed because of the implausibility of the plot, but I was able to put that aside.Character actor Michael Ironside (who always seems to play creeps and psychos) stars in this movie, playing a loser two-bit criminal who realizes that he can have a second chance in life. Amazingly enough, Ironside also produced and co-wrote this movie. I think Ironside should do more roles such as this, and produce more films such as this. As good as he is playing creeps and jerks, his talent is underappreciated, as far as I am concerned.Brad Dourif is outstanding playing a wheelchair-bound man who is "paired up" with Ironside's character. They are literally chained together at first, as Ironside is assigned to care for Dourif in his wheelchair. Dourif is always excellent but in this movie, he really shows his range. Absolutely amazing.I highly recommend this film. It is available at Amazon.com under the title "Common Bonds". It has some flaws, but is full of heart and cannot help but inspire and elevate the viewer, at least a little. However, it is not for young children -- there is brief nudity, some profane language and some violence (it is set in a prison part of the time, after all).

Verbal-17 An amazingly under-rated film that has been unfairly ignored by many, I would definitely count this among the best films of 1990. Driven by a thought-provoking plot and the surprisingly powerful performances of Michael Ironside and Brad Dourif, and a fine supporting turn by Rae Dawn Chong, this movie is definitely worth a look if you happen to notice it on the video store shelf.