Powerful

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

I think this documentary is great. Removing the presence of the filmmaker is what sets this movie apart and allows such honesty to spill out of these kids. Well edited, well paced and entertaining; each story has an arc; while still capturing the essence of the kids. And the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. I saw this at Sundance in 2001 and then again on DVD in 2006 and I remember most of it like it was. But I think a sequence was missing involving an Armenian girl who was fighting with her mom. I remember her escaping outside from a fight her mom and crying to the camera. Its a very vivid memory, but perhaps I saw this in another movie?

Ten camcorders were passed out among the student body of an East L.A. high school. After recording their "lives", the students passed the cameras on not unlike a chain letter...hence, the title. Of the results, 16 vignettes were edited revealing attitudes, opinions, and behaviors with diversity of ethnicity and subject. This documentary collection of amateur videography offers some poignant moments, some humor, some very frank sex talk, typical prom night, graduation and more. Want to know what's on the minds of kids today? Check it out.

Finally a REAL "reality" show! One Marshall High School student (in Los Angeles) is given a camera and a week to film their life then pass the camera on to a classmate. The resulting 10 vignettes create a compelling reality documentary. It is 100% human, thus it is often loving and compassionate, sometimes chilling, and sometimes extremely funny. The audience applauded loudly at the end. It makes one realize how phony the current "reality TV show" rage is.

Original and candid, this documentary represents our multi-cultural environment. Light in concept, it reaches many depths. The students make the most out of the notion of passing around video cameras to document their lives. The film touches on just about every issue teenagers have to deal with in today's world. It's multi-dimensional regarding gender, race and class. The kids are funny, totally honest and very real. The filmmakers respect their subjects and never trivialize their issues. This is the face of the world. The audience applauded at the end of the screening. Chain Camera is both riveting and heartwarming. You can't help but become involved with the subjects. Fantastic!