Nell (1994)

When the body of a female hermit is discovered in the wilds of the North Carolina mountains, they also find a frightened young woman (Jodie Foster), apparently the woman's daughter that the townsfolk knew nothing about. The hermit suffered from a stroke which limited her speech which she passed on to her daughter (who was conceived in a rape) as well as a fear of man. A local doctor (Liam Neesom) takes it upon himself to help her so she won't be confined to an asylum. Based on the play IDIOGLOSSIA by Mark Handley (who co-wrote the screenplay) and directed by Michael Apted. Apted displayed a feel for Appalachia in his film of COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER and he and his cinematographer Dante Spinotti (L.A. CONFIDENTIAL) have created a palpable texture to the film's exteriors. Foster's commitment to the title role is total and her fierce performance justifies the film's existence. Unfortunately, the script is weak and this kind of material has been handled much more deftly in films like Truffaut's WILD CHILD and THE MIRACLE WORKER to name just two. A subplot featuring Neeson and an autism specialist (Natasha Richardson) is pedestrian and only diffuses the film's potential. Not the fault of the actors who are both good. There's a fine score by Mark Isham. Foster's performance won her praise including a SAG best actress award and the Italian Oscar (David Di Donatello award). With Richard Libertini and Nick Searcy.