Dreamer: Inspired by a true story Movie Review:


An injured race horse brings a family together in “Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story,” a heartwarming film about courage, hard work and going the distance. Kurt Russell and Dakota Fanning deliver superb performances here as a father and daughter who finally bond while nursing and training an almost magical thoroughbred named Sonador, the Spanish word for “dreamer.” The plot may be predictable, but this movie is utterly irresistible and definitely worth seeing.

“Every child actress worth her salt must have a-girl-and-her-horse picture,” my husband insists. He cites Elizabeth Taylor in “National Velvet” and Shirley Temple in “The Story of Seabiscuit” to back up his point. Fanning has certainly proven “worth her salt” in such films as “I Am Sam,” “Uptown Girls” and “Hide and Seek.” In “Dreamer,” Fanning’s portrayal of a youngster in tune with her horse -- and yearning to be so with her distant father -- emerges as one of her best. With every look and gesture, this amazing little actress nails her character, a sad “old soul” in a young body who changes into a happy, excited owner of the horse she builds a dream on.

Russell (“Sky High”), Hollywood’s most underrated actor, almost breaks my heart as a father who’s lost faith in himself and in the joy of living. Drowning in financial problems and estranged from his own father (Kris Kristofferson, quite moving in this low-key supporting role), the character he plays owns the only horse farm without a horse in an area where the “sport of kings” rules. To make matters worse, this very unhappy man loses his job at a prosperous neighboring farm when he refuses to “put down” Sonador after the horse fractures a leg in a race the filly almost won. He takes the animal back to his farm, not realizing how attached his daughter will become to the ailing horse. She even sneaks out at night to feed Sonador popsicles!

The most compelling aspect of this film involves its depiction of how the father, daughter and grandfather develop more healthy relationships with one another because of their intense work with Sonador. Their improved rapport also makes a big difference to Russell’s worried wife (lovely Elisabeth Shue), who begins to smile more and more each day. When the entire family cheers while watching Sonador’s big race, I wanted to stand and shout with them.

As a matter of fact, most audience members at the screening I attended DID cheer loudly during the movie’s thrilling race sequence, something I’ve never seen an audience do before, not even during those exciting Seabiscuit (2003) races. Credit for evoking this much viewer involvement goes to first-time director and writer (“Coach Carter”) John Gatins and to cinematographer Fred Murphy (“Secret Window”) for their expert pacing and visual storytelling skills.

“Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story” reminds us not to give up on our dreams, no matter how many obstacles stand in the way. After all, chasing those dreams might be as important as achieving them. It’s a treat to watch this inspiring story unfold on the big screen.



Betty Jo Tucker

A little girl, her horse and a triumph of spirit are all elements that we have seen before in a lot of classic films like “The Black Stallion”, “National Velvet”, “International Velvet” and of course “The Horse Whisperer”.

“Dreamer” tells the story of Ben Crane (Kurt Russell), a rancher/horse trainer who acquires a crippled racehorse and with the help of his young daughter (Dakota Fanning) nurse the horse back to health in hopes of breeding or racing the horse once more.

Can you for a minute imagine the world of Disney films from the late 1960s and early 1970s? You know those heart-warming dramas that you knew that the whole family would enjoy. Well imagine those films mixed with “The Horse Whisperer” and “The Black Stallion” and you might have an idea of what “Dreamer” is like.

Like a lot of those old Disney films, the film itself is predictable, sweet, enduring and sometimes manipulative but its primary focus is to entertain. “Dreamer” doesn’t apologize for being that kind of film and it is magical in a lot of respects.

One thing I was surprised with was how silent the film was. There was no soaring theme music to add extra emotion and there was no raging race music to amplify the underdog. It was almost tranquil.

What I thought was pure genius about the film was the casting of Kris Kristofferson as Kurt Russell’s father. Why haven’t we seen that before? They look so much like they should be father and son.

I really enjoyed Russell and little Dakota in the film and they brought me to remember a lot of the infamous father-daughter duos from previous family films. I didn’t really feel a presence from Elizabeth Shue who plays Russell’s wife. She was just there but it is basically a father-daughter movie. David Morse is also very effective as the film’s villain but we have seen this before from him.

This one is one of those films for the whole family even if has all the typical hang-ups.




So Says the Soothsayer

Dean Kish

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