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Nell
1994 112 min United States of America PG-13 16+
★7.0
Drama, Thriller
Director: Michael Apted
🎭 Based on
«Idioglossia»
byMark Handley
Trailers
Description
In a remote woodland cabin, a small town doctor discovers Nell — a beautiful young hermit woman with many secrets.
Budget:
$31M
US Gross:
$33.68M
Worldwide:
$106.68M
Starring
Jodie Foster
Actor
Liam Neeson
Actor
Natasha Richardson
Actor
Awards
Screen Actors Guild Awards 1995
— Best Actress
Golden Globe 1995
— Best Original Score
Golden Globe 1995
— Best Picture (Drama)
Golden Globe 1995
— Best Actress (Drama)
MTV Movie & TV Awards 1995
— Best Actress
Academy Awards 1995
— Best Actress
Key opinion
Nell is widely celebrated as a deeply moving and sincere drama that explores the tension between societal expectations and individual freedom. While most viewers are captivated by the film’s atmospheric, nature-focused storytelling, some find the narrative progress to be slow and unevenly developed.
| Acting | Jodie Foster delivers a powerhouse, fully realized performance that serves as the emotional anchor of the film. | |
| Cinematography | The film masterfully creates an immersive, atmospheric world through its lush cinematography and the effective use of natural soundscapes. | |
| Acting | The performances of Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson provide a necessary humanizing bridge that complements Foster's isolated character. | |
| Theme | The film offers a poignant exploration of non-conformity and the potential harm caused by society’s urge to 'fix' those living outside its norms. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the pacing are split; some find the deliberate, contemplative tempo essential to the film's mood, while others feel the plot is sluggish and underdeveloped. | |
| Screenplay | Critics and viewers are divided on the screenplay's structure, with some praising its emotional weight and others finding it genre-indecisive or over-extended in the second half. |