Steve Crum Crum on Showbiz Mar 10, 2026 B+

It is the first two-thirds, encompassing the discovery of Nell that spotlights Foster, Neeson and Richardson’s ensemble performances, that clinches.

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Quentin Crisp Christopher Street Apr 21, 2022

The film Nell featured Miss Foster, and was a tour de force (whatever that may mean).

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Mal Vincent The Virginian-Pilot Mar 1, 2022 3.5/4

Jodie Foster's performance is much better than the movie, but Nell is still one of those movies you should see.

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Malcolm L. Johnson Hartford Courant May 22, 2018

All of this proves somewhat uplifting and, in the end, fairly moving. Under Apted's caring direction, Foster gives a fearless, appealing, utterly uninhibited performance throughout.

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Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Sep 7, 2011 B-

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Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Nov 23, 2007 3/5

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Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault Jan 20, 2007 D

Stunningly awful on almost every level.

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Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Jul 13, 2006 C+

Somber, ponderous, and pretentious, this is a clinical study of a wild woman (Jodie Foster) raised in the backwoods, far from the interference and contamination (according to the film) of Civilization. It's better to see Truffaut's Wild Child.

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Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily Oct 8, 2005 2/5

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James Plath Reel.com Mar 12, 2005 3/5

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Thomas Delapa Boulder Weekly Jan 21, 2005 1/5

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Nell Minow Movie Mom Jan 14, 2005 2/5

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Jake Euker F5 (Wichita, KS) Jul 2, 2004 1/5

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Daniel M. Kimmel Worcester Telegram & Gazette Feb 20, 2004 3/5

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Mike McGranaghan Aisle Seat Feb 1, 2004 3/5

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Michael Dequina TheMovieReport.com Jan 11, 2004 3/5

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Carol Cling Las Vegas Review-Journal Aug 22, 2003 2/5

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Fred Topel About.com Jul 14, 2003 3/5

Decent triumph over adversity movie. Nell has a unique disability.

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Jules Brenner Cinema Signals May 26, 2003 1/5

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Monica Hayde Palo Alto Weekly May 20, 2003 3/4

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