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Nell

Play trailer Poster for Nell PG-13 1994 1h 53m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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59% Tomatometer 34 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Cut off from the modern world, Nell (Jodie Foster) is a wild child, who has lived her entire life with her mother in an isolated mountain cabin in North Carolina. When her mother dies, she is found by kindly Dr. Jerome Lovell (Liam Neeson), who is fascinated by Nell and the language she has developed. Lovell and the equally curious psychologist Dr. Paula Olsen (Natasha Richardson) eventually camp out near Nell's cabin, slowly introducing her to the larger world she's never known.
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Nell

Nell

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Critics Consensus

Despite a committed performance by Jodie Foster, Nell opts for ponderous melodrama instead of engaging with the ethical dilemmas of socializing its titular wild child.

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Critics Reviews

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 01/01/2000
3/4
Nell is an effective film, and a moving one. That is largely because of the strange beauty of Jodie Foster's performance as Nell, and the warmth of the performance by Liam Neeson, as a doctor who finds himself somehow responsible for her. Go to Full Review
Quentin Crisp Christopher Street 04/21/2022
The film Nell featured Miss Foster, and was a tour de force (whatever that may mean). Go to Full Review
Mal Vincent The Virginian-Pilot 03/01/2022
3.5/4
Jodie Foster's performance is much better than the movie, but Nell is still one of those movies you should see. Go to Full Review
Malcolm Johnson Hartford Courant 05/22/2018
All of this proves somewhat uplifting and, in the end, fairly moving. Under Apted's caring direction, Foster gives a fearless, appealing, utterly uninhibited performance throughout. Go to Full Review
Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com 11/23/2007
3/5
Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault 01/20/2007
D
Stunningly awful on almost every level. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Mo S. @9mr_0 Dec 2 الفلم جيد جدا من اخراج و تصوير والطاقم قوي لكن القصه ركيكه See more BadNews R @TheMovieSearch Sep 9 I’m reaching a point where I’m genuinely excited to revisit and share some of the older films that shaped me growing up—movies my mother absolutely loved, and ones that still hold up today. Nell (1994) is one of those films. Starring the incomparable Jodie Foster, Nell tells the story of a young woman who has grown up isolated from society, speaking her own unique language and surviving on her own terms. While today we might describe the character as neurodivergent, the film treats her with respect, sensitivity, and nuance—something rare for its time. What could have easily become a caricature or a one-dimensional portrayal is instead brought to life with extraordinary care. The director manages to capture Nell’s humanity and spirit without malice, without immaturity, and without painting her as helpless. Instead, we see her as strong, resourceful, and deeply human. The writing is exceptional, weaving together a story that is both emotional and thought-provoking. It forces the audience to confront questions about society, compassion, and what it really means to be “different.” And of course, Jodie Foster is nothing short of brilliant here. She completely disappears into the role, giving us a performance that is tender, powerful, and unforgettable. It’s one of those roles where you can’t imagine anyone else stepping into the character—Foster makes Nell her own. For me, this film carries a special nostalgia. I first experienced it on VHS when I was younger because of how much my mom adored it. Watching it again now, I realize why it stuck with her and why it stuck with me. It’s not just a film—it’s a deeply human story that connects across generations. If you’ve never seen Nell, I highly recommend giving it a chance. It may be overlooked compared to some of Foster’s more mainstream work, but it’s easily one of her most heartfelt performances, and a film that still resonates nearly 30 years later. See more Glen B @surg3on 04/20/2024 The actors all put in a good job See more @ExcessMale 10/20/2022 So many tremendous qualities in a film that has a fairly mediocre script. The premise is particularly pretty fascinating and I'm shocked to see how ho-hum the story continues to be well into the second act. Shot in the Fontana Dam region near the Tennessee/North Carolina border the exterior scenes are striking. See more ronald h 09/13/2022 Looking back on this movie 28 years after its release, it seems like more of a curiosity than anything else. Jodie Foster's performance is just downright strange. It's overacting taken to the max----but then, I guess that's what the part requires. Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson are believable in their roles. Even their fake southern accents are pretty good. The biggest problem here is plausibility. Jodie Foster is supposed to be a "wild child" who has lived her whole life in a remote cabin in the woods, with no human contact other than her late mother and sister. Yet she has perfect Hollywood teeth. The scene in which she goes into a pool hall and shows her breasts is also ridiculous. She's supposed to be terrified of people. This is one of those films in which you're constantly asking questions about the unlikely scenarios, but the filmmaker wants you to just accept what you're seeing. If you can do that, it's watchable. The premise is certainly interesting. See more 11/22/2021 Effective, but do feel like that it left some unanswered questions... Jodie Foster, as always; is mesmerising! Not necessarily a must-see, but it's touching! See more Read all reviews
Nell

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Movie Info

Synopsis Cut off from the modern world, Nell (Jodie Foster) is a wild child, who has lived her entire life with her mother in an isolated mountain cabin in North Carolina. When her mother dies, she is found by kindly Dr. Jerome Lovell (Liam Neeson), who is fascinated by Nell and the language she has developed. Lovell and the equally curious psychologist Dr. Paula Olsen (Natasha Richardson) eventually camp out near Nell's cabin, slowly introducing her to the larger world she's never known.
Director
Michael Apted
Producer
Renee Missel, Jodie Foster
Screenwriter
William Nicholson, Mark Handley
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Egg Pictures, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 23, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$31.7M
Runtime
1h 53m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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