Nell, the movie is titled after the protagonist Nell, a wild girl who has grown up isolated in the woods. The lack of exposure, death of her twin sister, and tales narrated by her paralyzed hermit mother leaves her with an unusual behavior, distorted speech, fear of strangers and the real world. The story revolves around Dr. Jerome Lovell who discovers Nell, panic-stricken at the death of her mother. He tries his best to communicate with her, protect her from strangers, and lead her to a normal life. With time, he grows fond of her. When Jerome explores different options to grab Nell's attention and persuades her to respond, the movie gets intriguing. Dr. Jerome discusses Nell's case with Paula Olsen, who believes and proposes that institutionalization is the way to treat and protect Nell. Paula appeals to the court for the custody of Nell. However, Jerome counters that Nell will turn out to be an object of scientific research like other patients in such medical facilities. The court grants 3 months to both the appellants to observe Nell closely and prove their stance. However, after observing Nell's independence, routines, and response to Jerome, Paula is convinced that the impersonal medical procedures will not cure Nell. Therefore, she begins to assist Jerome in his efforts to understand Nell's language and interact with her. Jerome soon turns out to be Nell's "Guardian Angel". But during their stay together, Jerome and Paula also develop intimacy.Towards the climax, I was convinced that Jerome and Nell will lead a happy life together. However, the movie takes a smooth turn when Nell is seen as the same person but in the company of Jerome's friends. She is shown free, happy, and playing in the woods with Ruthie, Jerome and Paula's daughter. I am impressed by the remarkable performances of Jodie Foster and Liam Neeson. Jodie Foster's effort to justify Nell's appearance and behavior as a wild girl deserves a clamorous applause, mainly for her voice modulation, expressions, movements, and gestures. Liam Neeson's acting as Dr Jerome is significant. Particularly, the dramatic narration of his childhood to evoke Nell's reaction is spectacular. The portrayal of innocence and purity is heart-warming, when Nell vents out her feelings to Jerome and embraces him. Jerome's natural display of disappointment and anger is powerful, at the pathetic sight of Nell in the hospital. The impulsive reaction on realizing that he would lose Nell is admirable. Last but not the least, the choice of the pristine location in the movie, around Nell's wood cabin, certainly adds to the effectiveness of the plot. Firstly, if you are a fan of either Jodie Foster or Liam Neeson, you must not miss this movie. In general, "Nell" is worth your money and time.

Having previously watched Nell one night on my own, I prevailed upon my wife and children (when they were coming up to their teens) to watch it with me one evening.As expected, they fell about laughing as soon as Jodie Foster started talking in "chickabee" language. And then, also as expected, they were utterly absorbed as this unusual and involving story unfolded. For, make no mistake, the quality of Jodie Foster's performance is such that Nell becomes absolutely real, and the audience is intrigued at discovering the explanation for her strange development, and dreadfully, dreadfully worried about what will happen to her.Others have written much better informed and more thoughtful reviews about this film - I will just say that I thought it was an excellent film, and so did my family.

When I put this movie on I watched it, waiting for it to develop. I rented it on a Jodie Foster search, and I did not see any reviews beforehand. I Googled Nell while the DVD was still on and what I found is that people were really moved by the film, so I paid more close attention.I agree with the reviewers who say that Nell is a story about humanity. I also agree that this is NOT a film about a society that carries evils that will corrupt her, just people who have "ulterior motives". For Liam Neeson's character, his motives are on behalf of human compassion and a desire to learn Nell's ways.This movie is held together by the interests of Dr. Lovell to keep Nell in her own environment, and Paula who also wants to interpret Nell's behavior but from a more scientific perspective. There's tension as to whether Nell will have to be committed, as she is later, but the hospital is not the proper setting for Nell. One good thing that came out of her brief stay in the NC city is that she is able to let go of her twin sister's ghost, Mae. By ghost I mean a relationship of replayed memories and emotional strongholds.One thread that I found interesting was the ailment of the sheriff's wife. She is not mentally retarded, but she is mentally ill. As a person who is diagnosed bipolar, I wonder about the similarities between the disconnect from society and the disconnect from civilization. There's another reality that can cause depression by certain triggers, or mania, and this can cycle back and forth rapidly. What was the director thinking in putting the wife there? Another way to show how people are receptive to body language from those who are perceived good?I will remember this movie. Jodie Foster is as convincing as Leonardo DiCaprio and Dustin Hoffman but her communication is more than a brief stint. There's never a forgotten moment with her, never a time where her communication couldn't be understood by those who loved her.

Mixed drama with Jodie Foster as a "wild woman", living for many years with her disabled mother deep in the woods, who is discovered by Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson. She speaks in a language they cannot understand, yet they (Neeson in particular), form a special bond with her. Eventually as publicity about ehr case grows they are induced to take her away from her natural environment, and of course trauma follows. Jodie Foster never entirely convinces as Nell, but not for lack of trying. Her character has this big courtroom speech at the end that is ridiculously written. It has some nice moments, and the three actors have genuine chemistry, but it just sorts of plods away, never really getting anywhere.