Nell (B or 3/4 stars)
'Nell' is a drama directed by Michael Apted and starring Jodie Foster as Nell, herself. Nell was raised in an isolated cabin in North Carolina's backwoods by her religious mom whose speech was distorted as the result of a series of debilitating strokes. As hermits, this duo had practically no contact with civilization. Things seemed alright for them. But their little idyllic world is shattered with Nell's mother's untimely died. Dr. Jerome Lovell (Liam Neeson), a kind country physician, discovers Nell cowering in her cabin & is perplexed by her wild nature & bizarre speech patterns. He wants to protect her, however; especially from the media & others who would break her innocent spirit and/or exploit her.
Meanwhile, beautiful Dr. Paula Olsen (Natasha Richardson), a psychologist, is also interested in Nell's protection & growth as a human being. She longs to take her to a university hospital where they can study her behavior. That said, Nell is the one who could probably teach a thing or two to the researchers about the reciprocity of nature & nurture in humans. A court affords the doctors 3 months to observe Nell in her environment before figuring out whether or not she is mentally competent to remain there to live ... or if she needs to be institutionalized. Jerome Lovell manage to decipher Nell's odd language {and verbal cadences}, while Paula Olsen monitors her daily activities in the cabin. Over time, the two doctors are drawn together romantically and, as they also get to know Nell better, they realize that she harbors a few secrets; some of which could be the key to her 'condition'.
Jodie Foster's performance as Nell is deep, memorable & difficult to pull-off; bringing to life the sensitivity & beauty of a young woman who is unfamiliar with immensity & pressures of the modern world, but who is well acquainted with basic human emotions; including crippling grief. Liam Neeson exudes tenderness & affection as Dr. Lovell, who becomes Nell's friend rather quickly. His role is tricky, but he makes it look effortless. And Natasha Richardson is great as Dr. Olsen, the psychologist who learns from Nell how to break down the walls she has fashioned to keep people away. Richardson is low-key, but effective; there's a scene where she tells her mother's story to Dr. Lovell and it's a master class in conveying subtle heartbreaking emotion.
'Nell' includes several memorable scenes. One such scene is Nell's 1st trip into town; accompanied by Jerome & Paula. Watching her encounter civilization is as eye-opening as it is for her to experience it herself. And it also contains an uncomfortable scene in which some barflies taunt an unknowing Nell into lifting her skirt above her head. In fact, Foster shows her nude {and beautiful, well-toned} body in several scenes; brave actress, she is. The film's climax takes place in a courtroom where Nell's fate is to be determined. This is the one scene that feels a tad ... off. This very organic story & the naturalistic proceedings go a bit 'Hollywood'. Up until that point in the story, Nell hadn't managed to express more than the most basic of thoughts & feelings suddenly conveys advanced musings to a courtroom full of townsfolk -- it's just a corny, inauthentic way to wrap things up.
On a craft level, 'Nell' impresses as much as the acting. The landscape cinematography of North Carolina is beautifully captured. And Mark Isham's musical score is lovely. You know, despite the entire courtroom sequence, 'Nell' really is an interesting, entertaining drama that is aided by those 3 aforementioned leads. I like how the character of Nell is able to introduce the joys of the natural world to all those around her BECAUSE of her innocent, child-like 'condition'. Nell brings people together. And she is the catalyst for change in various characters' lives; making them see that people need to be supportive when grief & heartache overwhelms.
Meanwhile, beautiful Dr. Paula Olsen (Natasha Richardson), a psychologist, is also interested in Nell's protection & growth as a human being. She longs to take her to a university hospital where they can study her behavior. That said, Nell is the one who could probably teach a thing or two to the researchers about the reciprocity of nature & nurture in humans. A court affords the doctors 3 months to observe Nell in her environment before figuring out whether or not she is mentally competent to remain there to live ... or if she needs to be institutionalized. Jerome Lovell manage to decipher Nell's odd language {and verbal cadences}, while Paula Olsen monitors her daily activities in the cabin. Over time, the two doctors are drawn together romantically and, as they also get to know Nell better, they realize that she harbors a few secrets; some of which could be the key to her 'condition'.
Jodie Foster's performance as Nell is deep, memorable & difficult to pull-off; bringing to life the sensitivity & beauty of a young woman who is unfamiliar with immensity & pressures of the modern world, but who is well acquainted with basic human emotions; including crippling grief. Liam Neeson exudes tenderness & affection as Dr. Lovell, who becomes Nell's friend rather quickly. His role is tricky, but he makes it look effortless. And Natasha Richardson is great as Dr. Olsen, the psychologist who learns from Nell how to break down the walls she has fashioned to keep people away. Richardson is low-key, but effective; there's a scene where she tells her mother's story to Dr. Lovell and it's a master class in conveying subtle heartbreaking emotion.
'Nell' includes several memorable scenes. One such scene is Nell's 1st trip into town; accompanied by Jerome & Paula. Watching her encounter civilization is as eye-opening as it is for her to experience it herself. And it also contains an uncomfortable scene in which some barflies taunt an unknowing Nell into lifting her skirt above her head. In fact, Foster shows her nude {and beautiful, well-toned} body in several scenes; brave actress, she is. The film's climax takes place in a courtroom where Nell's fate is to be determined. This is the one scene that feels a tad ... off. This very organic story & the naturalistic proceedings go a bit 'Hollywood'. Up until that point in the story, Nell hadn't managed to express more than the most basic of thoughts & feelings suddenly conveys advanced musings to a courtroom full of townsfolk -- it's just a corny, inauthentic way to wrap things up.
On a craft level, 'Nell' impresses as much as the acting. The landscape cinematography of North Carolina is beautifully captured. And Mark Isham's musical score is lovely. You know, despite the entire courtroom sequence, 'Nell' really is an interesting, entertaining drama that is aided by those 3 aforementioned leads. I like how the character of Nell is able to introduce the joys of the natural world to all those around her BECAUSE of her innocent, child-like 'condition'. Nell brings people together. And she is the catalyst for change in various characters' lives; making them see that people need to be supportive when grief & heartache overwhelms.