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Nell

  • 1994
  • PG-13
  • 1h 52m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
32K
YOUR RATING
Jodie Foster and Liam Neeson in Nell (1994)
Coming-of-AgePsychological DramaDrama

In a remote woodland cabin, a small-town doctor discovers Nell - a beautiful young hermit-woman with many secrets.In a remote woodland cabin, a small-town doctor discovers Nell - a beautiful young hermit-woman with many secrets.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
    • William Nicholson
  • Stars
    • Jodie Foster
    • Liam Neeson
    • Natasha Richardson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    32K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Michael Apted
    • Writers
      • Mark Handley
      • William Nicholson
    • Stars
      • Jodie Foster
      • Liam Neeson
      • Natasha Richardson
    • 103User reviews
    • 28Critic reviews
    • 60Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 5 wins & 7 nominations total

    Videos1

    Nell
    Trailer 2:16
    Nell

    Photos64

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    Top cast27

    Edit
    Jodie Foster
    Jodie Foster
    • Nell
    Liam Neeson
    Liam Neeson
    • Jerome Lovell
    Natasha Richardson
    Natasha Richardson
    • Paula Olsen
    Richard Libertini
    Richard Libertini
    • Alexander Paley
    Nick Searcy
    Nick Searcy
    • Todd Peterson
    Robin Mullins
    Robin Mullins
    • Mary Peterson
    Jeremy Davies
    Jeremy Davies
    • Billy Fisher
    O'Neal Compton
    O'Neal Compton
    • Don Fontana
    Heather M. Bomba
    • Twin #1
    Marianne E. Bomba
    • Twin #2
    Sean Bridgers
    Sean Bridgers
    • Mike Ibarra
    Joe Inscoe
    Joe Inscoe
    • Judge
    Stephanie Dawn Wood
    • Ruthie Lovell
    Mary Lynn Riner
    • Janet Baring
    Lucile McIntyre
    • Sally
    Al Wiggins
    • Harry Goppel
    Beth Bostic
    • Jean Malinowski
    Rob Buren III
    • Stevie
    • Director
      • Michael Apted
    • Writers
      • Mark Handley
      • William Nicholson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews103

    6.531.7K
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    Featured reviews

    6goya-4

    A woman is discovered in the Carolina woods..having lived in a world of her own

    Jodie Foster stars in this popular film about a woman discovered in the woods of Carolina having not know civilization as commonly known.

    Of course, the ones who found her, Neeson and Richardson, want to take care of her and show her the new world, while their colleagues and other government people as exposed as "bad guys" and want to exlpoit her. A good film but way too predictable and too "hollywood-ized". There are no suprises at all.. Jodie Foster does a great job in the title role. 6 of 10
    8ccthemovieman-1

    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.
    Bon_Jovi_chick

    A beautiful film

    It was a great and simple story. Simply about a woman raised in the wild, unable to speak proper english due to her mothers stroke and she is trying to be brought into "civilisation".

    Neeson and Foster are the stars of this film!! Not just because of their star status but they really showed talent in this film. Foster is brilliant as the vulnerable but independent Nell and Neeson is great as her "guardian angel".

    This film has its funny bits but the ending... well if youre dead sensitive, get the tissues out. When Nell speaks in the courts, I was causing a flood!!!!

    I give it a 10/10. Definetly one to keep forever.

    Helen xxxxx
    8stamper

    What a charming movie

    This film really surprised me, because it was really good. But it mostly surprised me, because I read here that this would be a drama and I must say I disagree. Drama stands for sadness and melancholy, whereas this film stood for humanism. I mean Nell is basically as happy as can be and who are we (the people in the film) to tell her that her way of life is not good? I know this might sound strange, but I see this film as a metaphor for human behavior. We reject what is not like us (race, religion, gender, sexual preference, skin color and so on) and think those people ought to be like us, because they are not ‘normal'. Well you tell me who is more normal: Nell or the people who want to put her away; Nell or the journalists; Nell or the boys in the bar? I will tell you: Nell, Nell and Nell. I can recommend this film to everyone and I hereby want to thank all people involved and especially Jodie Foster for her great performance.

    7,5 out of 10
    7paulr03

    Excellent but many things that bothered me.

    The story has been presented by other reviewers but I have a little different take. The acting and story were great and Foster gives an outstanding performer. What bothers me is, as a resident the area I have many complaints. Before getting into the factual problems let's cut to the main problem which is government intervention. I know several 'mountain folk' who live in the mountains just outside Robbinsville who live 100% off the land. No electric, water in house, food, etc. They are perfectly happy and Nell was more that capable to take care of herself. The government destroyed her life! Second, the City of Robbinsville is horribly represented with the pool hall scene! There is no way she would have treated like that from anyone in that lovely town! The people of the town and the surrounding counties were horrified!

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jodie Foster has declared that this role is her personal favorite.
    • Goofs
      (at around 12 mins) Nell swims in the nude, but when on the shore and dancing, she has on underwear.
    • Quotes

      Nell: Chicka, chicka, chickabee. / T'ee an me an t'ee an me. / Ressa, ressa, ressa me, / Chicka, chicka, chickabee.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Disclosure/Drop Zone/Nell/The Last Buffalo/Into the Deep/Immortal Beloved (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      Crazy
      Written by Willie Nelson

      Performed by Patsy Cline

      Courtesy of MCA Records

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    FAQ34

    • How long is Nell?Powered by Alexa
    • Which little twin is which?
    • What is "Nell" about?
    • Is "Nell" based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 23, 1994 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Una mujer llamada Nell
    • Filming locations
      • Fontana Lake, North Carolina, USA(cabin, surrounding woods and adjacent lake)
    • Production companies
      • Egg Pictures
      • Polygram Filmed Entertainment
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $24,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $33,683,817
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $62,663
      • Dec 18, 1994
    • Gross worldwide
      • $106,683,817
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 52 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
      • DTS
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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