Nell (1994)
Review by HTQ4
Film:
DVD:

Written by William Nicholson and Mark Handley, based on Handley's play Idioglossia
Directed by Michael Apted
Starring Jodie Foster, Liam Neeson, Natasha Richardson, Richard Libertini, and Jeremy Davies

Features:

• Running audio commentary with director Apted
  
• Running audio commentary with actress Foster
  
• Behind-the-Scenes Featurette
  
• Theatrical Trailer
  

My Advice: Own it

Dr. Jerry Lovell's (Neeson) world was turned completely upside down when he discovered Nell (Foster). It seems that she was living with her mother in a very primitive cabin in North Carolina...then her mother died. Nell has a very distinctive speech pattern that makes her English almost sound like another language. Dr. Lovell introduces Nell's case to Dr. Paula Olsen (Richardson) who tries to remove Nell from her primitive home in the woods, but Dr. Lovell doesn't think that is such a good idea. Through a series of court hearings, they find themselves forced to study Nell in her cabin in the woods. Not only do they learn her form of English and she theirs, but they also learn a lot about themselves and each other all because of this young woman who didn't even have running water in her home.

This is one of the strongest performances to date by all three of these actors. And, as a little bit of trivia, this movie was Neeson and Richardson's first film together after they got married. All three leads give equal performances, matching each other beautifully. This happens because they listen to one another in improvisation the way that good jazz musicians do when they are really on their game.

Foster is simply outstanding. This film came out in 1994 and I can count the number of performances of this caliber on one hand (without the thumb) that have come around since. Neeson and Richardson bring the screen alive with their presence. I could kick myself in the head for not having seen this movie before I received this DVD to review.

And if you thought that was a glowing review, we haven't even started on the DVD package here. I'll start with the weakest part of it first to get it out of the way. The "making-of" featurette feels more like advertising than it does an in-depth look at the movie. I could be wrong, but it feels like the one put together as time filler for the cable networks. Needless to say, it is definitely not the reason to buy this DVD. If there is a reason to buy this DVD, it comes in the form of two commentary tracks by Apted and Foster.

Apted talks about the making of the movie in the way that the featurette should have. There is information about how the project came to life in the first place in addition to some wonderful commentary about the performances by these amazing actors. In her commentary track, Foster talks about her dual roles in this movie--the role of star and producer. Foster's commentaries are always impressive, but both of these commentary tracks are outstanding.

So, if the movie alone is not enough to make you want to own this disc, the elegantly simple bonus features will definitely do the trick. Run out and get it now.