Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005)

64% of critics liked it
(116 reviews)
74% of users liked it
(89,384 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 work… 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

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: John Gatins
Written By: John Gatins
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Oct 21, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Mar 21, 2006
Studio: Dreamworks

Critic Reviews

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
A great family film.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
For family audiences seeking easy assurance, moral certitude and, of course, moving scenes of a gorgeous, galloping horse.
Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle
As a sports drama -- a genre that's gotten entirely too much play lately -- Dreamer is singularly unexciting.
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.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Too obvious, too trite and too sentimental to ever be more than Seabiscuit for tweens.
Lisa Rose, Newark Star-Ledger
There's nothing particularly inspired about the film.
Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media
Heartwarming kids' movie starring Dakota Fanning and a racehorse.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
All the characters are familiar, the story is familiar, but it is well-constructed and the actors do a good job with the material.
Carolyn Arends, Christianity Today
Dreamer is loaded with enough clichés and formulas to choke a horse. But truly, it works.
David Cornelius, DVDTalk.com
It is a movie that will captivate children, yes, but it will also capture the hearts of the grown-ups, too.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
simply feels more professional than most family fare
James Plath, Reel.com
Like the horse in the title, Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story starts quickly out of the gate, gets lame and plodding, but recovers in time to finish strong.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
Screenwriting manuals have taught us that every film is (or should be) a Hero's Journey, but writer-director John Gatins takes that gospel so literally it's hard to know whether to admire his purity or marvel at his lack of imagination.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
The charismatic Fanning proves she is the best child actress in decades.
Audrey Rock-Richardson, Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah)
A quiet and poignant story.
Jonathan R. Perry, Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)
Sure, it's as goopy as Kris Kristofferson is grizzled, but families might find a genuinely warm experience in the simple story of a child following her heart %u2014 especially in the rare moments when we're not told how to feel.
Jules Brenner, Cinema Signals
This is a slow track of wish-fullfillment fantasy and all who come through the turnstiles will wear a happy face.
Todd Jorgenson, Denton Record Chronicle (TX)
Painfully earnest and aggressively sappy, it requires an outrageous suspension of disbelief, and becomes even more far-fetched as it goes along.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

erika b

dreams can come true
Cassie H

Very good movie. I watched this movie with my bff and I loved it!!! :)
Leigh R

Fantastic and highly reccomended.
Dean M

Emotional true family story with an once-great horse.
Dannielle A

A feel-good movie that was fairly predictable... especially with scenes, shots, and script.
Andrew F

I was surprised with this one. It was actually good. Dakota Fanning is great.
Jonny C

Good family movie based on a true story. The strong cast keep you engaged til the heartwarming finale.
Patrick D

Horse riding swill
Haley A

Dakota Fanning is amazing, as usual. Can this girl ever make a bad film?

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Kurt Russell as Ben Crane

            Dakota Fanning as Cale Crane

            Elisabeth Shue as Lilly Crane

            Kris Kristofferson as Pop Crane

            Oded Fehr as Prince Sadir

            Luis Guzman as Balon

            Freddy Rodriguez as Manolin

            David Morse as Palmer

            Ken Howard as Bill Ford

            Rhoda Griffis as Classroom Mother

            Frank Hoyt Taylor as Chairman

            Holmes Osborne as Doc Fleming

            Rex Peterson as Emergency Medical Vet

            Kayren Butler as Teacher

            Danny Beene as Emergency Vet

            Dick Allen as Veteran Gambler

            Adam Tomei as Reporter

            Hutchison Hancock as Betting Window Clerk

            Antonio Albadran as Prince Tariq

            John E. Moyer as Security Officer

            Tommy Barnes as Short Steward

            David Shamieh as Man at Sadir's Door

            Varkas Everest as Prince Sadir's Horseman

            Donna Barton Brothers as Female Reporter

            John Newberg as Beefeater

            Trevor Denman as Track Announcer

            Ed Burgart as Claiming Track Announcer

            Mark Warrack as Texas Horseman
See full cast