Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Awesome Movie

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

Winter doesn't seem to have his head around the screenplay for "Fever", a dark and morose drama about a young, disturbed NYC slum dwelling artist (Thomas) who is caught up in a trio of murders . The film paints a portrait so nebulous as to leave many questions unanswered as it plods toward an unsatisfying conclusion with a sort of Hitchcockesque style. Unfortunately we're not given reason to care about the principle and are left to wait for the other shoe to drop all the way to rolling credits. "Fever" is an okay watch technically and artistically which offers solid performances. However, the screenplay misses opportunities to put more meat on the bones of a story with unrealized potential. Okay fodder for couch potatoes into quirky film noir psychodramas.

This film is far from average- and quite shocking, when you realize it comes from the mind of Alex Winter. Nobody expects this kind of spooky story from such a light hearted comedic actor (of Bill & Ted fame.) Yet we are pleasantly surprised at the depth of the surface story and the sub plots of this poor, tortured artist. I was engrossed in the story line from the word "go" and enthralled (although it was disconcerting) to be in a constant sense of discovery right along with the main character. Especially gripping are his "sleepwalking sessions" in which you wake up right along with him- a bit in shock as to the new surroundings & sensations.Our little boy has grown up, Henry Thomas' performance as a grown man, dealing with deep seeded emotional issues, far surpasses any role he has played thus far. He is capable of such emotion and range of feeling. I wanted to cry at times, hurting with him as he realizes his lack of control & understanding his dark life. I am anxiously awaiting the world's discovery of his range and capabilities as an actor. He is obviously aware of himself & not afraid of a challenging role.What is next for Alex Winter? Will he stay on the Writer / Director path -- or will he return to the front of the camera bringing all of his newfound skills to life as an actor? His ability to use imagery to convey emotion is frightening, the dark dingy images he shows of New York are a far cry from the glitzy N.Y. that Hollywood tends to portray. He surrounds our main character in darkness as if he is incapable of creating even a glimmer of light in his world. So much symbolism - especially in the portrait on canvas which is never completed, he shows us the painter who cannot paint. Who is the man in the picture? His Father? Himself? The stranger upstairs? We will never know.I was intrigued by the murder plot of course, but at times I found myself wondering if the ending would prove it all to be a "dream" in the mind of our lost confused teacher. How on Earth can all of the overlapping stories come together & make sense? I hate spoilers- so I will not reveal just how... but- he manages to achieve perfect closure- and with such expediency that the audience is left w/ a collective sigh of relief as the credits roll.Certainly worth a theatrical run... will someone pick this film up for a theatrical release after it has already hit the HOLLYWOOD Video shelves? My hope would be yes! Boo Hoo that it isn't the glossy marketable "trash" we see in theatres now- Did I really need another episode of "Dinosaurs on an Island"? Or "SCARY MOVIE 6?" PLEASE PEOPLE!? Big Budget does not mean instant story - Alex proves that with a minimal budget involving very few computerized special effects & we don't even miss them! We are too involved with the story- wanting this poor man to find the answers & find some peace in his soul. Wake up & smell that audiences are screaming for some creativity in movie making and new stories to enjoy! FEVER is certainly a new albeit "surreal" movie experience. I would say rent it- but invite a few friends over too- because you just might have trouble sleeping! (I did)A+ rating: 9 of 10

Extremely atmospheric thriller starts out great, as young artist (Thomas) living in hellish urban apartment grows more and more paranoid as other tenants end up dead. The high production value and Thomas' performance maintain the interest, but the script -- reminiscent of other, better pictures -- goes nowhere fast, with a been there, done that "surprize" ending you can predict 20 minutes into the film. Seriously ruined by a slapped on, cop-out finale that leaves you furious and unsatisfied.

I saw this most unusual and moving film at the Raindance festival in London last year. Slow paced, yes. Boring? For me, no. A young artist, Nick Parker, (an excellent, sensitive Henry Thomas) teaches drawing in a run-down area of the Bronx. and his surroundings are depressing him to the point of nervous breakdown, or worse! A murder in his apartment affects him deeply and attempts by his sister (a well-judged performance by Teri Hatcher) to communicate with him are offset by his growing mistrust of his own senses. This film has qualities that repay the patience needed to appreciate them. The cinematography is responsible for much of the film's impact and the high level of acting all round builds the tension nicely, together with Alex Winter's splendid screenplay. I was impressed by it's intelligent and realistic portrayal of a descent into insanity.