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.
