Nell (1994)

Liam Neeson: Jerome Lovell

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Quotes 

• Jerry : [translating for Nell to the court]  You have big things. You know big things. But you don't look into each other's eyes. And you're hungry for quietness.

• Jerry : She lives here all alone, huh?

  Sheriff Todd Peterson : That's what hermits do, Lowell. They live alone and they die alone.

• [Jerry found the Bible with the note from Nell's mom for the stranger to look for her Nell] 

  Jerry : What kind of deal is this? The first who finds her is supposed to look after her?

  Sheriff Todd Peterson : [matter of factly]  That means you, Jerry.

  Sheriff Todd Peterson : Oh sure. Just what I need.

  Sheriff Todd Peterson : [bemused reading from the note]  'The Lord led you here.' There you have it.

  Jerry : *You* led me here.

  Sheriff Todd Peterson : You want the Lord to take care of her now?

  Jerry : The last time I saw the Lord was in church of my wedding and look how *that* turned out.

• Jerry : I've got someone to cover for me. Everybody's replaceable.

• Jerry : I like it here. It's a quiet place. You've got the right idea, Nell. You live with people, you get problems. First they screw you up, then they leave you, right?

• Jerry : Let's take this one step at a time. Stay here. I'm gonna go back inside.

  Sheriff Todd Peterson : Jerry, I can't let you go back in there. We don't even know what that thing is.

  Jerry : It's a human being and she's frightened.

  Sheriff Todd Peterson : Well, what are you gonna do?

  Jerry : Talk to her... if I can.

• Jerry : 'Missa' - little. 'Erna' - big.

  Paula : Tata?

  Jerry : 'Tata'. Potalto. Just kidding. Frightened. 'Tata' - frightened. 'T'ee' - tree.

• Paula : All the research shows that children who perceive their parents enjoying a good sex-life grow up to have far better sexual relationships themselves.

  Jerry : Is that so?

  Paula : Yea, that's so.

• Jerry : [translating for Nell to the court]  Don't be frightened for Nell. Don't weep for her. I have no... greater sorrows than you.

• [Jerry plays music making Nell cry] 

  Paula : Turn that thing off! What the hell do you think you're doin'? She's never heard music before.

  Jerry : Hey! Sometimes people just do things! It's called impulse. Try it some time.

  Paula : It's called doin' what you want when you want to, and not giving a shit about anybody else! I grew out of it by the age of six!

• Paula : We shouldn't be watching this.

  Jerry : Why not? I think she's beautiful.

  Paula : Mmm-hmmm...

  Jerry : You think I'm planning to abuse the doctor-patient relationship.

  Paula : Are you?

  Jerry : No. Just because I think she's beautiful doesn't mean I want to have sex with her. I mean, I think you're beautiful, but...

  Paula : Thanks!

  Jerry : No, wait. I didn't mean... I'm sorry...

  Paula : It's ok, I'm a big girl!

• Jerry : Nothing and everything, it just hits her sometimes.

• Janet Baring : Do you reckon he ought to be in the hospital?

  Jerry : No, Ma'am. My advice is: don't go near those places, unless they pay you a heap of money. Your father is 87 years old, Janet. Just be there for him.

  Janet Baring : Don't worry. I a-gonna go nowhere.

• Sheriff Todd Peterson : I guess she's what you'd call a hermit. She talked kinda funny, too. She was kinda like: 'Durr murr muh...'.

  Jerry : Only one side of her face was working. You try talking out of one side of your face.

• [discussing what is going to happen to Nell, supposing she needs someone to look after her] 

  Dr. Paley : Who's gonna look after her? You?

  Jerry : [disgusted]  Me? Why me?

• [Jerry ringing the bell of Paula's boat] 

  Paula : Hey.

  Jerry : You sure can make it, roughin' it like this? I don't see an air conditioning unit. You ok about breathing raw air?

  [Paula knocks on a box on the ceilling] 

  Jerry : Oh.

• Paula : What is it with you and Nell?

  Jerry : It's like... there's no one else in the world. Like she doesn't need anybody. Can you live your whole life that way, or does it drive you crazy in the end?

• Paula : To think I was going to be the one to change her life.

  Jerry : Me too.

  Mary : Don't you know? You were the first.

  Paula : The first what?

  Mary : To need her.

• Jerry : Is this for real? No electricity, no phone, no running water.

  Jerry : [sees a spindle, impressed]  Wow.

  [walks up to it and carefully, slowly turns the wheel a bit] 

• Sheriff Todd Peterson : Well, she's definitely overage. So I guess we need to find her an adult protective service.

  Jerry : She doesn't need a social worker. She needs a padded cell. That is one seriously disturbed lady.

  Sheriff Todd Peterson : Well, I'm afraid that's gonna be your territory, Jerry.

  Jerry : Thanks.

  Sheriff Todd Peterson : [reciting the letter]  The Lord led you here, stranger.

• Paula : [seeing the Sheriff's wife crying]  What happened to her?

  Jerry : Nothing and everything. It hits her once in a while.

  Paula : Is there any obvious cause?

  Jerry : You want a list? Life's tough. But she's luckier than some. Got a good husband there.

• Paula : [into her mic]  She's been completely isolated. Almost certainly mentally retarded. A blood test will pick up childhood disease and any metabolic disorder.

  Paula : [to Jerry]  Oh, you carry a blood kit?

  Jerry : You think she's gonna sit there and let me stick a needle in her?

  Paula : [laughing, then matter of factly]  I'll hold her.

  [Paula takes off her jacket]