User Reviews

The premise of this movie is so similar to 2003's Seabiscuit, you'd think you're watching yet another biography of a real horse in some extraordinary, inspiring film that might just make you want to head down to the nearest race course and observe a real race.

But Dreamer (or Sonador as the horse is named) takes a slightly different angle in this tale about second chances and comebacks. If compared to Seabiscuit, yes, we have a horse with great potential faced with the troubles of breaking a leg during a competitive race. As with all race horses, this means instant death, as they have no future value, and are bred for the sole purpose of racing.

We also have a superb trainer, Ben Crane, played by Kurt Russell, and the doctor (Holmes Osborne), the written-off jockey (Freddy Rodriguez), the stable-hand (Luis Guzman), etc. But here's where the similarities end. Dreamer is a more personal film, with family friendly characters, like the daughter (Dakota Fanning), the wife (Elizabeth Shue), and the grandfather (Kris Kristofferson). Nursing the horse back to health had actually brought the family closer together, and that in itself makes this film quite cliché in its many "been-there-done-that" before moments to touch.

Dakota Fanning has held her own against "father-figure" heavyweights like Robert De Niro, Denzel Washington, and Tom Cruise, though many would have pointed out that she had rivaled Naomi Watts for the 2005 Scream Queen honors with her performance in War of the Worlds. Here, Fanning has returned to more credible acting, albeit in a safer role.

Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story, is a heartwarming tale about believing in oneself, having dreams, believing that you can achieve, and take action to achieve those dreams. While watching the movie, I can't help but chuckle at the parallels in seeing how my team and I are sticking together, just like those characters, in wanting to see our dream of making a short film, and entering it into competitions (in this case, the Breeder's Cup) come to a reality.

It's that kind of film, an inspiring one. It might be clichéd, the premise might be too good to be true, but hey, success might come to those who dare to dream, believe, and more importantly, do.

I was lucky enough to be able to preview this film on October 6, in Greenville, SC with my wife. While I had seen the previews several months ago for this film and thought it looked pretty good, I went in thinking it would be just another "chick flick". I was wrong. The story-telling was superb and very rarely dragged along, holding the attention well (I never looked at my watch). The acting was very good from all involved and Dakota is cute as ever. The drama was riveting without being over done or heavy-handed. All in all this film is a winner (no puns intended) and great for people of all ages (and genders).

In Lexington, Kentucky, the horse barn of the family Crane has been empty for years, without any horses, due to the financial difficulties of the family. When the female horse Sonya, a.k.a. Sonador (Dreamer, in Spanish) breaks one foreleg in a race, the owner Palmer (David Morse) decides to sacrifice the animal, but the trainer Ben Crane (Kurt Russell) accepts the injured horse as part of three months salaries owed by Palmer. His daughter Cale (Dakota Fanning) becomes very connected with Sonya, and while the horse is rehabilitated, the wounds in the ties of the Crane family are also healed.

"Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story" is one of those beautiful, positive, optimistic movies, with a magnificent message for families. First, you must never give up your dream; following your dream, no matter how impossible it seems to be, magic may happen. The other one is that families shall always stay united, no matter how difficult the situation seems to be: the union makes the strength. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Sonhadora" ("Dreamer")

As a long time horse racing fan and a former horse loving little girl, this movie had to go on my must see list. I would definitely recommend it for all families - and the adults may be surprised how much they enjoy it also. There is one scary scene for some young kids when the filly breaks down early in the movie - but this scene is part of the commercials that already have been on TV, so it should not be too much of a shock. As a racing fan, I found a few points that stretched credibility, but this is a "dream" after all, and they do point out that putting a filly or mare in the Breeder's Cup Classic has hardly ever been done, much less expecting she can win enough of the purse to justify the high entry fee needed. Even Azeri, who was a horse of the year, ran 5th when she took on male horses in the Classic. Sonador could have run in the Breeder's Cup Distaff instead, paid less for the entry fees, and still have astounded everyone with a win (when Mariah's Storm, the "inspired by" horse ran in the Breeder's Cup Distaff after her injury she did not win). Over all the movie does a pretty good job of representing the factual background (children can't generally be licensed as race horse owners, but the plot certainly works much better this way!).

I do think that if they are going to make "Inspired by a true story" part of the title, they should have provided information about this some where - perhaps as a post script at the end - but they do not. You have to find interviews with the screen writer to learn that it was inspired by Mariah's Storm who broke her leg as a 2 year old when she was expected to be a favorite in the 1993 Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies, but later returned to racing and won several graded stakes races. She has gone on to be the dam of several stakes winners, including Giants Causeway, who is one of the studs they admire at Ashmore Stud when looking for a horse to breed Sonadore to. Mariah's Storm is 14 years old now and is still having babies. I suspect that on their trip to the breeding farm we may be seeing the actual retired race horses, as the studs shown (Fusaichi Pegasus, Giant's Causeway, Johannesburg, Grand Slam) are all actually owned by Coolmore Lexington (formerly Ashmore Stud) in Kentucky. While inspired by Mariah's Storm, the movie is not really based on her. In fact, at one point, the characters talk about Mariah's Storm, when saying it may be possible for Sonador to race again after her broken leg, just like Mariah's Storm had. Grand Slam (the horse they considered breeding Sonador to) also made a comeback from an injury he suffered running in the 1997 Breeder's Cup Juvenile.

Cale Crane (Dakota Fanning) lives on a horse farm with no horses. Their farm is holding on with her mother Lily (Elisabeth Shue) working as a diner waitress. Her father Ben (Kurt Russell) doesn't get along with his father Pop (Kris Kristofferson). Ben trains horses for the rich owner Palmer (David Morse) who races his horse despite Ben's advise. The horse is injured and Palmer wants to put her down. Palmer fires Ben. Ben takes the horse for compensation. Partly through obsession, partly through skills, partly with love, and the hard work of everybody including Manolin (Freddy Rodriguez) and Balon (Luis Guzman), they bring her back to health. It's a roller-coaster ride when they find out that she is infertile.

This is an unabashed sentimental movie. Russell is great as the strong solid father under pressure. It's a good move that his character is healing the horse for the money rather than any moral stance. Fanning is adorable enough and spunky enough. It's a terrific underdog story. The movie is full of familiar clichés. It's probably too overloaded with them but Russell and Fanning make them work most of the time.

Greetings again from the darkness. Dreamworks brings us a family picture in the spirit of the old Disney movies ... only this one has a bit more substance. The comparisons to "Seabiscuit" are inevitable, but this is not a BIG film like that. It is much more a story of a man and his family.

Kurt Russell shines as a gifted/cursed horse trainer who has withdrawn from his family over the years. A stunning piece of bad luck puts him out of work and taking care of a broken down race horse. The horse turns into the proverbial rallying point that brings Russell close to his family - especially his daughter (Dakota Fanning) and his estranged father (Kris Kristofferson).

Fanning ("War of the Worlds") continues to exhibit amazing screen presence for such a youngster, but there are a few times when her lines seem a bit too scripted making her wise beyond her years. For the most part, she plays the role well as a daughter in love with a horse that is bringing her closer to her dad. Kristofferson is fine as the crusty old horseman who taught his son (Russell) and granddaughter (Fanning) all he knows about horses. He overdoes it a bit at the Breeder's Cup, but mostly plays the role well. David Morse ("St. Elsewhere") is very good as the villain/competitor ... again in the spirit of Disney villains. Elisabeth Shue ("Leaving Las Vegas") is Russell's wife and she is desperately under-utilized. Why doesn't this fine actress get more roles? Just for fun, check out former major leaguer-turned horse owner, Dick (Richie) Allen at the betting window with Russell.

Without a doubt, Russell is the star of the film. I have said for years this man should be a HUGE movie star, but so often makes poor choices in roles. He is perfect in this role. Strong, well-meaning and emotional when necessary. The guy is a great actor but will apparently never reach the superstar status he should. Would love to see him commit to acting in independent films for a few years and really work his craft. He and Goldie have to be set financially, so why not push his art?

Writer and first time Director John Gatins serves up a well made, high-quality family picture that should be seen by many. Certainly it will be big on DVD sales and rentals. Is it a bit heavy on melodrama? Absolutely. But it is very enjoyable, nonetheless.

Set on "the only horse farm in Lexington, Kentucky without any horses," "Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story" is the story of a little girl and a horse. While that may seem like a familiar plot, "Dreamer" is something more—for one thing, the little girl is Dakota Fanning. The acting in "Dreamer," from Fanning to Kurt Russell to Kris Kristofferson, is of a somewhat higher quality than your typical girl-and-a-horse movie, and almost carries the film. The story of an injured filly who miraculously recovers and goes on to achieve greatness, "Dreamer" is also about the importance of family love. In the end, however, unless you are under 12, it is still a semi-predictable, inspirational, rent-the-video-when-it-comes-out- and-save-eight-bucks movie about a girl and a horse.

Cale Crane (Fanning) is a ten-year-old horse lover, who is allowed one day to go to work with her father, racehorse trainer Ben Crane (Russell). One of the horses he trains, Soñador, breaks a leg in a race, and, reluctant to have her put down in front of his daughter, Crane defies his boss and ends up losing his job, accepting the broken down horse as part of back salary. Crane nurses the horse back to health in the hopes of turning a profit by breeding her. Cale, on the other hand, dreams of racing Soñador. And the horse, whose name is Spanish for "dreamy," will do anything for the little girl—for the small fee of a Popsicle.

Full of family values, "Dreamer" shows how a horse brings father and daughter together. We also see Crane reconcile with his estranged father (Kristofferson). Parental sacrifice takes on a whole new meaning as Lily Crane (Elisabeth Shue) chooses to work 7-day weeks as a waitress so that her daughter and out-of-work husband can race a horse that in all probability will not amount to much. She tells Ben to do everything possible, including $120,000 in race entrance fees, so that Cale can take her dream as far as possible, as maternal dedication begins to border on improbable.

The acting in "Dreamer" is very good, especially by Fanning, who, as always, is excellent. The young actress, who has taken the film industry by storm since her debut in 2001's "I Am Sam," has the ability to portray a range of characters and has great emotional power and maturity for someone of her age. Interestingly, the part of Cale Crane was originally meant for a boy, but it was changed so Dakota Fanning's name could be added to the bill.

The filming, while nothing extraordinary, shows the beautiful scenery of Kentucky horse farms and the handsome horses that occupy them. The score, by John Debney, is melodious and moving. Inspired by the true story of Mariah's Storm, a filly who broke her leg in 1993 and went on to win the 1995 Breeder's Cup, "Dreamer" was written by John Gatins, who made his directorial debut with the film. After seeing the fast-paced animated comedy "The Incredibles" with his children, Gatins wanted to make a classic, live action, family drama movie that appealed to younger audiences but had a solid story adults could enjoy. I think he was successful.

For young audiences, "Dreamer" truly is a soñador, or dreamy, movie. For the rest of us, though, its predictability, while certainly its only notable flaw, may be its undoing. But in a time when the predictable happy movie ending is becoming increasingly less common, and thus, less predictable, perhaps we should sit back and enjoy a nice inspirational family story with traditional values, that shows us why happy endings became common and predictable in the first place—we like them!

Well, I just got through watching this much-anticipated film (by me) and it didn't disappoint except for one thing: I thought it was a true story. I didn't play close enough attention to the word "inspired" in the title because, unlike the story of Seabiscuit, this isn't what really happened.

It's based on a nice comeback story a real racehorse, Mariah's Storm, which did make a great comeback from a serious injury but not to the extent of what happens here in this movie. This was exaggerated to the hilt for dramatic purposes, but that's okay once you know that because the story is, indeed, "inspirational."

Most important, this is about as nice a modern-day film as you will ever find. There's nary a swear word, hardly even a raised voice. There are nice characters and a sweet, family-friendly tone to it with a tear-in-your-eyes Seabiscuit-type tale and ending.

Dakota Fanning once again demonstrates why she is the greatest child actor of her generation. Kurt Russell is excellent, too. Ole Kurt must be mellowing these days playing subdued nice guys like this. It's good to see. The same goes for Elisabeth Shue. This is a far cry from her role in Leaving Las Vegas. Even Kris Kristofferson holds his tongue in this film! Amazing.

Like Seabiscuit, this also is beautifully filmed. I wonder if any sport is filmed and is just surrounded by all this beauty in real-life, too, like horse racing? It IS "the sport of kings." There is some spectacular scenery in here, much of it in Kentucky and where better to be when filming a horse racing story?

So, if you and your kids - or just you - want to settle in for nice film, and you're looking for a pleasing, nice-looking, feel-good story you absolutely cannot miss with this film. Very highly recommended.

If you have a daughter or a young girl to take to this movie it is worth seeing.

While there is a lot of hype around about Dakota Fanning, I thought she was given a persona that was too wordly-wise and adult for her supposed age. She acted like a wizened urban teen - not a farm girl. I do not particularly like her actually. I will admit she has a strong stage presence.

Similarly, the mother was mis-cast. I thought the mother was far too pretty and smooth to be a credible "farm wife." I think the scenery was beautiful and well filmed. I felt that the evil guy was very well cast.

There should have been a dog in the film.

Kurt Russell did a superb job of acting. It was not that difficult of a role but he nailed it. And Kris K. did his normal effortless job of just being himself - and it worked to a tee.

Thanks for reading this.

My wife and I saw this movie today, and were very happy to have spent the time and the emotion.

This is a heartwarming experience for virtually any viewer with a soul. Far beyond a simple story about a horse, this film delves in to multi-generational relationships and human frailty. In its relatively short time duration, the film depicted a great deal of real life.

Dakota Fanning is a remarkable actor. It is almost frightening to see someone of her tender years with such screen presence and ability to deliver a range of emotion so convincingly. If only the film industry will refrain from corrupting her - and her support group helps to keep her "real" - she will undoubtedly evolve into an excellent adult performer.

Kurt Russell is a perennial favorite of ours. We both commented on the joy of watching the growth of his career and ability from his child roles of Disney films through his present "mature" stage of career. Whether a husband and father in "Dreamer" or a dysfunctional husband and brother in "Backdraft, he is enjoyable to watch.

Kris Kristofferson as a crusty old horse person with a huge, warm heart, was a nice addition to the film. We have long acknowledge that his acting talent far exceeds his musical prowess.

Last, but not least, there is Elisabeth Shue. Since "Adventures in Babysitting," we have enjoyed her performances. She is beautiful, charming, adept, versatile and willing to take professional risks. It is unfortunate that the film industry does not provide her more good roles for someone of her abilities.

It is pleasing that "Dreamer" - and films of its style - are made. Such entertainment vehicles support a means to keep families bonded. "Dreamer" is a great way for families to spend a couple of hours together.

Don't hesitate to see this film. Open your heart, connect your soul to your brain, and enjoy yourself!

My wife dragged me to this movie and I kinda thought I might enjoy it, so, I didn't fight it too much. Once the movie started and I got into the plot, I was hooked. My wife started crying within the first 15 minutes and she didn't stop until we walked out of the theater!!! It was the good kind of crying... not bad!!! Take the WHOLE family to the classic Disney type story!!! If you have any ability to follow how these types of movies go, then you will know the outcome long before it happens... it doesn't matter because you'll be wanting that outcome and you'll embrace it when it happens!!! Good acting, as always, from Kurt Russell and even Kris Kristofferson showed some range. Young Dakota Fanning has to be one of the most talented actresses of our time!! I could never see her as a 'child actor'... she an actress that just happens to be a child!!! GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!! You won't be sorry!!

Dreamer

Reviewed by Sam Osborn of www.samseescinema.com

Rating: 2.5 out of 4

I'm damn sick of horse movies. Between Seabiscuit and Racing Stripes, I've seen my fair share of feel-good superfluity over these last couple years. And Dreamer, at first glance, seems like more of the same. But the further we plunge into this heap of inspirational hodge-podge, the more we find ourselves invested in the characters. What at first seems like another retread of old material evolves into something enticing, if only slightly different. Yes, Dreamer is the same old, same old; but the film's written well enough to make it enjoyable enough for a family outing.

Dreamer's plot plays out pretty much as we'd expect it to; focusing on an unlikely horse making its way to racing stardom. The way the film arrives at the horse's fame, however, is a slight and very welcome variation on the old formula. Instead of launching straight into the cushy underdog story, Dreamer bothers itself with the commerce side of horse racing. Initially, after the horse Sonador breaks its leg in a race, Ben Crane (Kurt Russell) and his daughter Cale (Dakota Fanning) plan to heal the bone, breed Sonador with a prize-winning stud, and sell the offspring for as much as $300,000. I liked this approach. It explored a side to horse racing often kept out of Hollywood. The concept was new for me, being a city-born kid whose only horse experience has been as a wide-eyed tourist.

But, alas, Sonador is found infertile and the family has to resort to horse racing again, and Dreamer falls back to its genre expectations. That's fine; I walked into the theatre expecting this. Thankfully, however, Dreamer doesn't take the straightest of paths to get to its ending. The film does manage to rotate the tables some, even if it is only a slight adjustment. Instead of Ben taking full control of Sonador's racing, he hands the reigns over to Cale, whose knowledge of horses comes from the old stories of her estranged grandfather, Pops (Kris Kristofferson), who lives across the field in the guest house. So we're treated to some funny, wholesome moments of family growth and childhood emerging into adolescence. It's no coming-of-age story, but, again, it's interesting enough to keep us interested.

There have been enough words said already about the young, prodigious Dakota Fanning. We get it. She's amazing. Let's just sit back and look forward to all her upcoming work. Kurt Russell, on the other hand, hasn't had as consistent a track record as Fanning; but here, he's convincing enough as Cale's father Ben. The director reportedly had a boy in the place of Cale in the original screenplay; but after seeing Fanning in Man on Fire, decided the film was meant for her instead. The writers may have shifted the dialogue's focus to a more feminine motivation for Cale, but they seem to have left Ben's character intact. Surprisingly, this slacking effort works wonders for Dreamer. There's a stern gruffness to Ben that we've commonly seen in father-son stories. But put to a father-daughter story, the effect is somehow better. The contradiction of characters is sentimental, but without the teary-eyed pudge that bogs down this sort of film. The Cranes' three-generation family actually reminded me a little of the family from last month's An Unfinished Life; with the cold western flair of silence that seemed to permeate about the film's tone, ratcheting up the story's intensity just enough to keep us from yawning.

Admittedly, Dreamer is the kind of film that could never really be all that intense. It is a horse film after all. But it manages to avoid gimmicks and mute its contrivances enough to let us examine its characters for what their worth. And with Dakota Fanning at the helm, along with good supporting work from Russell and Kristofferson, Dreamer makes it out unscathed.

www.samseescinema.com

I just got back from Dreamer and had to say it was a very good movie. If you liked Seabiscuit you will like this story as well. As said in other comments it is family movie

If you like Kurt Russell movies you will like this one as well.

It will make you tear up a little for sure.

I have never seen Dakota Fanning in any movie before , thought too much hype. But she did a fairly good job.

I always love to see Luis Guzmán in his roles I was glad to read that he called Dreamsworks and had a free screening in the area he lives in Vermont to show kids who would never get to see it.

Hat's off to Mr Guzman and Dreamworks for brigthening a child's day.

I'm only 3 minutes into Dreamer and having difficulty with the concept of anyone naming their daughter Cale. Why not Potato or Broccoli? It's just distracting me. Maybe it will get explained. Mom had kale cravings during pregnancy?

An uplifting, heartwarming movie...inspires one to dream and dream big. It's a must see, especially for the lovers of horses. Rivals the Horse Whisperer as my favorite movie revolving around horses. Kurt Russell is great, as always. Dakota Fanning is a very special young actress, perhaps a greater talent at her age than Drew Barrymore. Kris Kristofferson play his usual gritty character. And last but not least, it's great to see Elisabeth Shue on the silver screen again. She is a natural beauty and a great actress. The movie is very timely in that it involves the Breeder's Cup, which, at the time of this writing, is coming up this weekend. It's a movie for all ages, and if it comes out on DVD before Christmas, it'll make a wonderful gift.

The cinema has seen so many films about horses that the audience could be easily tired of it. From "Black Beauty", through the marvelous "Seabiscuit" to "Dreamer: Inspired by a true story". The fact that the last lines are part of its original title, explains that it matters to the filmmakers and so it will to the audience. Actually these films continue to work and no one has complained about it.

Whether they are based or inspired by true stories or not, whether they contain the same story and the same stereotyped characters, whether they have the same cheesy and moving score and whatever the name of the horse is (which is usually the one in the title). "Soñador" is Cale Crane's (Dakota Fanning) horse name; it means "Dreamer" in Spanish. Cale is a little girl, but she loves that horse and she earns more than the half of it.

"My father says that this used to be a very big farm", says little Cale at the beginning of the movie. Now her father Ben (Kurt Russel) is a horseman working for Palmer (David Morse), the bad guy. Palmer's best horse, Soñador, has a race, but Ben tells Palmer that the horse doesn't seem well, that she shouldn't run. The race takes place, and the horse breaks a leg; Palmer wants to let her die, but Ben doesn't; so he takes her to his stable.

Soon, Ben and his helpers Balon (a charming Luis Guzmán) and Manny (a surprising Freddy Rodriguez) are fixing her, with the help of Pop (Kris Kristofferson); who had been angry at his son Ben but says "he is the best horseman". Now Ben's wife and Crane's mother Lily (a beautiful and solid Elisabeth Shue) is living a dream with the possibility of Soñador running again.

What follows you will already know it, but I assure you will want to see it anyway. Movies about horses always have an element that makes you stay put in front of the screen. I could say this is a trick, this is a safe way of making the film likable; but there is a hidden honesty somewhere, a sign of true feeling. "Seabiscuit" had something very touching and very moving, and I never knew what it was.

John Gatins, writer of sports films, some bad ("Summer Catch"), some regular ("Hard Ball") and some very good ("Coach Carter"), comes back with horses and family, and comes back in style. His long shots are beautiful, so is his story and his peaceful camera and direction. He is extensively aided by John Debney's familiar but perfect score that helps the environment with violins and strings.

My mother rented the film because, among other things, she saw Dakota Fanning in the cover…Have you got any idea the power this little girl transmits on screen? She's facing great actors in "Dreamer", and she's being better than them at times. "Look at the faces she makes, look at the expressions", my mother said.

Kurt Russel has being doing quiet roles over the last few years, and he is very likable in them. Here, he makes you believe that he loves horses and that they talk to him. Kris Kristofferson really seems Russel's father, and he plays his role calmly and subtly…He astounds. And the movie does what I've said a lot in different ways: it triumphs.

I saw this film on September 13th in Indianapolis. I am one of the judges for the Heartland Film Festival that screens films for their Truly Moving Picture Award. A Truly Moving Picture "…explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life." Heartland gave that award to this film.

The setting is the beautiful horse country around Lexington, KY. A dysfunctional horse family falls on hard times. The family includes a grandfather (Kris Kristofferson), a son (Kurt Russell), his wife (Elisabeth Shue), and their daughter (Dakota Fanning). The son is a horse trainer and loses his job abruptly and takes with him a badly injured horse to his shrunken, empty, rundown horse farm.

Just as the horse, Sonador, which is Spanish for Dreamer, struggles to become healthy, the family also struggles to become a caring, loving unit again. The indomitable spirit of the daughter as she cares for the horse forces the family to confront their problems. And ultimately they do face their problems with courage, spirit and even heroism.

The acting in this movie by the family members was superb. But Dakota Fanning deserves a special mention. It seems once a generation there is an outstanding child actor that is believable. She is this generation's child actor.

The cinematography and music score are outstanding. The horse country comes alive and you begin to understand why "…the sport of kings…" becomes many people's profession.

FYI – There is a Truly Moving Pictures web site where there is a listing of past winners going back 70 years.