Nell ★★½ 1994 (R)

“Wild child” story—adult version. When illiterate, barely verbal backwoods Nell (Foster) is discovered after her stroke-afflicted mother's death, she's placed in the care of a doctor (Neeson) and psychologist (Richardson) who have different ideas about how to bring her into society. Unfairly dismissed by some as self-indulgent, Foster's raw, physical performance is truly mesmerizing; dull script, unconvincingly tidy ending, and gross over-sentimentality are what disappoint. From the play “Idioglossia” by Mark Handley. 114m/C VHS, DVD . Jodie Foster, Liam Neeson, Natasha Richardson, Richard Libertini; D: Michael Apted; W: William Nicholson. Screen Actors Guild ‘94: Actress (Foster).

Nell. Poem by Leconte de Lisle set for v. and pf. by Fauré (Op.18 No.1, 1880).