Wonderfully offbeat film!

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

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.

I should first say that I am a BIG Brad Dourif fan. I first heard about this movie on Dourif.com (which is offline now). I kept hearing more about it from other Brad Dourif sites. Then I saw the movie on a "for sale" rack in a video rental place near my hometown, and so I bought it. And it is incredible!!! I fell in love with the movie the first time I saw it. This movie is a must-see for all Brad Dourif fans. It made my respect for him shoot up another 50 points, and I recommend it to anyone (except little children).

I recorded this movie off HBO which called it "Common Bonds" and it's one heck of a acted, directed & written film. Excellent acting by all especially by Brad Dourif. Kudos to Michael Ironside for a great film.