Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005)
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64% of critics liked it
(116 reviews) -
74% of users liked it
(90,269 ratings)
A man and his young daughter face almost impossible odds as they struggle to help an injured horse return to the racetrack in this family-friendly drama. Ben Crane (Kurt Russell) is a horse trainer whose career has gone into a bit of a slump, and after years as his own boss, he's signed on to… More A man and his young daughter face almost impossible odds as they struggle to help an injured horse return to the racetrack in this family-friendly drama. Ben Crane (Kurt Russell) is a horse trainer whose career has gone into a bit of a slump, and after years as his own boss, he's signed on to work for Palmer (David Morse), a breeder whose wealth and success has given him a certain degree of arrogance. While Ben has learned to keep his mouth shut around his boss, he forgets himself when one of his favorite horses, Sonador, breaks its leg during an important race. Palmer insists that the horse should be put down on the spot, but Ben doesn't have the heart to kill the animal, especially since his young daughter, Cale (Dakota Fanning), is in the stands watching. Ben and Palmer have harsh words with one another, and Ben is fired, but is allowed to take Sonador with him when he leaves. Ben has a hard time convincing anyone that the injured horse has any potential, especially his father, Pop (Kris Kristofferson), a fellow trainer who rarely sees eye to eye with his son. But Cale loves the horse, and Ben believes that Sonador can make a comeback with the right care, and together with stable men Balon (Luis Guzman) and Manolin (Freddy Rodriguez), he sets out to put the filly on the road to recovery. As its subtitle suggests, Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story was based on the story of Mariah's Storm, a filly who broke a leg during a race in 1993, but a year later came back to win the Arlington Heights Oaks, and in 1995 won the Turfway Breeder's Cup. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- John Gatins
- Written By
- John Gatins
- Genres
- Drama, Kids & Family
PG,
- In Theaters
- Oct 21, 2005 Wide
- Studio
- Dreamworks
Critic Reviews
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Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
A great family film.
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
For family audiences seeking easy assurance, moral certitude and, of course, moving scenes of a gorgeous, galloping horse.
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Tom Keogh, Seattle Times
Lovely family film, which has a way of resonating in one's imagination for days.
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Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle
As a sports drama -- a genre that's gotten entirely too much play lately -- Dreamer is singularly unexciting.
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Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
It's to Fanning's and Russell's credit, and the filmmakers', that the formula never gets the better of the film.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Kurt Russell
as Ben Crane
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Dakota Fanning
as Cale Crane
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Elisabeth Shue
as Lilly Crane
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Kris Kristofferson
as Pop Crane
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Oded Fehr
as Prince Sadir
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Luis Guzman
as Balon
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Freddy Rodriguez
as Manolin
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David Morse
as Palmer
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Ken Howard
as Bill Ford
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Rhoda Griffis
as Classroom Mother
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Frank Hoyt Taylor
as Chairman
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Holmes Osborne
as Doc Fleming
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Rex Peterson
as Emergency Medical Vet
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Kayren Butler
as Teacher
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Danny Beene
as Emergency Vet
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Dick Allen
as Veteran Gambler
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Adam Tomei
as Reporter
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Hutchison Hancock
as Betting Window Clerk
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Antonio Albadran
as Prince Tariq
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John E. Moyer
as Security Officer
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Tommy Barnes
as Short Steward
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David Shamieh
as Man at Sadir's Door
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Varkas Everest
as Prince Sadir's Horseman
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Donna Barton Brothers
as Female Reporter
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John Newberg
as Beefeater
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Trevor Denman
as Track Announcer
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Ed Burgart
as Claiming Track Announcer
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Mark Warrack
as Texas Horseman
