NELL (1994)

CHARACTER Nell Kellty, waif

IMPERILED? Discovered after her mother's death by physician Jerry Lovell (Liam Neeson, left), Nell is a young woman raised in isolation in the forest who speaks a language no one else understands. Since her naivete, ferality, and strange tongue make it unlikely she could assimilate into society, scientists threaten to institutionalize her and turn her into a guinea pig.

EMPOWERED? Aided by Nell's own otherworldly, beatific spirituality, Jerry and psychologist Paula Olsen (Natasha Richardson) advocate for her to live as she chooses, on her own.

EW MOVIE GRADE: B- (Read the EW review)