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
- Writers
- Stars
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 5 wins & 7 nominations total
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
6.532.2K
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Featured reviews
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!
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
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
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
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
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
7,5 out of 10
Foster at her peak.
It's easy to point out the flaws in "Nell". The sub plots that are left to waste, the "Taster's Choice" ending, and above all, failing to delve deeper into the psyche of Nell instead of dwelling too much on scenery and loose shots. Too easy. But let's concentrate on the good. And there is much to love about this movie, not in the least Fosters brilliant acting. I remember when I saw this movie in the theater for the first time, I was totally convinced by her acting. During the entire movie I never doubted for a second that Foster was "Nell". This is the best compliment I could give any actress or actor.
Did you know
- TriviaJodie 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.
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Una mujer llamada Nell
- Filming locations
- Fontana Lake, North Carolina, USA(cabin, surrounding woods and adjacent lake)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- 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
- Runtime
- 1h 52m(112 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content








