An action-packed slog

Absolutely brilliant

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

This movie is one I have watched repeatedly and I feel it is one of Michael Ironside's best works. Take a rough and tumble jail bird and force him to work with a wheel chair bound smart mouth and you have the makings of a great adventure.It takes you on a roller-coaster of emotions. Though somewhat predictable in spots, more often just when you think you know where the movie was going it changes direction. I spent years looking for this movie when I was still in Canada and was only able to find it for purchase 2 years ago. It is a shame that this movie was not noticed by more people.

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.

Although Michael Ironside and Rae Dawn Chong are credited as the stars of the film, this is far and away Brad Dourif's movie. A low budget, Canadian film, Chaindance ( aka Common Bond) is an independent film. Besides starring in the movie, Ironside was also the executive producer. Knowing this, the movie has been labeled an attempt to advertise Michael Ironside as a leading man. Having played several (good) supporting roles in the past, Ironside put on the executive producer hat in order to star in a movie. Ironside is a great supporting actor. Then again, he is far from the star of this film, even though he is the main character. Brad Dourif, who plays the supporting role, steals the show with his over the top and very convincing role as a handicap. A good movie, one of Dourif's better roles.

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.