Nell (1994)

In a remote woodland cabin, a small town doctor discovers Nell - a beautiful young hermit woman with many secrets.

Director:

Michael Apted

Writers:

Mark Handley (play), William Nicholson (screenplay),

Stars:

Jodie Foster, Liam Neeson, Natasha Richardson

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jodie Foster	...	Nell
Liam Neeson	...	Jerome Lovell
Natasha Richardson	...	Paula Olsen
Richard Libertini	...	Alexander Paley
Nick Searcy	...	Todd Peterson
Robin Mullins	...	Mary Peterson
Jeremy Davies	...	Billy Fisher
O'Neal Compton	...	Don Fontana
Heather M. Bomba	...	Twin #1
Marianne E. Bomba	...	Twin #2
Sean Bridgers	...	Mike Ibarra
Joe Inscoe	...	Judge
Stephanie Dawn Wood	...	Ruthie Lovell
Mary Lynn Riner	...	Janet Baring
Lucile McIntyre	...	Sally

Storyline

Nell is a girl who's been brought up in an isolated world. The only people she knew were her mother and twin sister. They lived together in a cottage in the forest. Nobody has ever met Nell. After her mother's death, she's discovered by the local doctor Jerome. He's fascinated by her, since she speaks a mangled language, developed by her sister and herself growing up, "twin speak" if you will. But Paula, a psychology student, wants her observed in a laboratory. The judge decides they get three months to observe her in the forest, after which he'll decide about Nell's future.

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Plot Keywords:

twin | psychology | forest | isolation | death | 

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Taglines:

Her heart. Her soul. Her language are a mystery...A mystery called Nell.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for nudity

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 December 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Una mujer llamada Nell

Filming Locations:

Angel Medical Center, Franklin, North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£902,923 (UK) (17 March 1995)

Gross:

£1,843,233 (UK) (14 April 1995)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Egg Pictures, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jodie Foster originally planned to direct the film herself but turned it over to Michael Apted instead.

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Goofs

(at around 14 mins) The depth of the water Jerry is in changes.

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Quotes

Jerry: I've got someone to cover for me. Everybody's replaceable.

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Connections

Follows The Wild Child (1970)

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Soundtracks

"CRAZY"
Written by Willie Nelson
Performed by Patsy Cline
Courtesy of MCA Records

User Reviews

A Unique, But Disturbing Film

remember this film, and subsequent VHS tape, getting a fair share of publicity when it was released. The story certainly was different and so interesting to me (on the first viewing) that Jodie Foster's constant incoherent phrases didn't bother me. They aggravated a lot of other viewers, however. However, after three looks at this film,

I had had enough, too, not because of Foster but because this is a disturbing film. It's not a lot of fun to watch. The fact I watched it three times tells you it's pretty darned good.

Liam Neeson played a no-nonsense good guy. Natasha Richardson also adds to this unique story.

I would definitely recommend this film to first-time viewers but be wary it's different and not always pleasant to see and hear. I don't want to say more in fear of spoiling the story, but kudos to Foster for an outstanding effort.