Since Jerry believes that Nell has the right to speak for herself, the theme is illustrated by showing his POV as he tries to learn her language, discover who she is and what she wants. By shifting the POV, you would be removing the audience as the outsider looking in on Nell's life, and instead, have us looking out from Nell's POV to modern life. The them of Rights could continue to work as a smaller theme, but the shift in POV will shift the emphasis and might even completely change the theme. Here, the theme might be about the women vs. the man. Paula could become the compassionate scientist, Jerry the one who wants to use Nell for the advancement of his career.
Every choice has consequences.
You may want to think through the film in terms of POV and theme, and then think about the consequences of that choice. Inc. All Rights Reserved.