Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story Reviews

Despite thoroughbred work from Dakota Fanning, by the time the movie hits the final furlong it's only good for the glue factory.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5

A great family film.

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A sugarcube of good intentions that works.

Full Review | Original Score: B

The bond between Cale and Sonya changes everyone's lives, including the film's oddest convert, wealthy Prince Sadir (underused Oded Fehr).

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Triumphant coming-of-age drama (complete with horses!) [aimed] at little girls and their captive-audience fathers.

| Original Score: 2.5/4

Gallop, don't walk, to a movie house for one of the most uplifting live-action family films in years.

| Original Score: 3/4

Seabiscuit-Lite (half the emotional impact and half as satisfying as the regular inspiration film).

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5

For family audiences seeking easy assurance, moral certitude and, of course, moving scenes of a gorgeous, galloping horse.

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Charming all-ages entertainment.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4

Lovely family film, which has a way of resonating in one's imagination for days.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4

As a sports drama -- a genre that's gotten entirely too much play lately -- Dreamer is singularly unexciting.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

The best girl-and-horse movie since National Velvet. Who's to say that Dakota Fanning won't have the career longevity of Elizabeth Taylor?

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4

The film's route to the familiar ending is appealing, largely because Russell and Fanning create such winning father-daughter chemistry, and the theme reverberates with undeniably rousing good spirits.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10

A family film that even adults may enjoy.

| Original Score: 3/4

It's to Fanning's and Russell's credit, and the filmmakers', that the formula never gets the better of the film.

| Original Score: 3/4

It trampled the curmudgeon right out of me.

Too obvious, too trite and too sentimental to ever be more than Seabiscuit for tweens.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

There's nothing particularly inspired about the film.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

It makes a solid case that a wounded horse can heal a wounded family.

| Original Score: 3.5/4

Fanning and Russell are a perfect, sweet-and-sour pair. And, of course, the horse is absolutely beautiful -- which, in the end, is what this all comes down to, anyway.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4