Synopsis
In a remote woodland cabin, a small town doctor discovers Nell — a beautiful young hermit woman with many secrets.
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Cast
- Jodie FosterNell Kellty
- Liam NeesonDr. Lovell
- Natasha RichardsonDr. Paula Olsen
- Richard LibertiniDr. Paley
- Robin MullinsMary Peterson
- Nick SearcySheriff Todd Peterson
- Jeremy DaviesBilly Fisher
- O'Neal ComptonDon Fontana, Lovell's Attorney
- Joe InscoeJudge
- Stephanie Dawn WoodRuthie Lovell
Recommendations
- 75
Chicago Sun-Times
Despite its predictable philosophy, however, 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. - 75
ReelViews
It is difficult to deny Nell's intelligence and sensitivity. We approach this story with the same fascination that Nell faces each day, seeing, if only for a short time, how different the world -- and people -- can be. - 67
Entertainment Weekly
By the end, the pieties of Nell fall into place all too neatly. - 60
Washington Post
Jodie Foster, transcendent in the bravura title role, is far grander than the film itself, and her performance helps camouflage the weaknesses of its structure and the naivete of its themes. - 60
Variety
A cocoon of somber self-seriousness envelopes some fine performances and intelligent craftsmanship in Nell. - 50
The New York Times
What's remarkable is how seldom it delivers. For all its technical brilliance, not even Ms. Foster's intense, accomplished performance in the title role holds much surprise. - 50
San Francisco Chronicle
The film has a good heart, but its central premise -- that ignorance is an enchanted realm -- is too sentimental. - 50
Los Angeles Times
The strength of Foster’s spooky performance makes Nell more effective and worthwhile than it otherwise deserves to be. And it is just because we come to care about that unusual young woman that we wish she were in a better movie, but that was not to be.
