Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story

2005, Kids & family/Drama, 1h 38m

116 Reviews 50,000+ Ratings

critics consensus

Though formulaic, this horse story's saving grace is its strong performances. Read critic reviews

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Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story Photos

Ben Crane (KURT RUSSELL), Cale Crane (DAKOTA FANNING) and Pop Crane (KRIS KRISTOFFERSON) react to some good news about the future of their racehorse

Writer/director JOHN GATINS (left) and star KURT RUSSELL watch the playback of a scene on the set of DreamWorks Pictures' family drama DREAMER: INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY.

Star DAKOTA FANNING gets some direction from writer/director JOHN GATINS on the set of DreamWorks Pictures' DREAMER: INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY.

(Left to right, foreground) Palmer (DAVID MORSE) and Prince Tariq (ANTONIO ALBADRAN) have reason to be concerned as they watch their horse race against Soñador in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Cale Crane (DAKOTA FANNING) dreams of being a part of her father's world, working with racehorses.

Ben Crane (KURT RUSSELL) and his daughter Cale (DAKOTA FANNING) face many challenges and obstacles as they try to defy the odds and bring an injured racehorse back to her former glory.

Writer/director JOHN GATINS on the set of DreamWorks Pictures' family drama DREAMER: INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY.

Pop Crane (KRIS KRISTOFFERSON), Cale Crane (DAKOTA FANNING) and Ben Crane (KURT RUSSELL) come up with a plan to get the entrance fee to race Sonador in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Director of Photography FRED MURPHY (standing) checks the lighting for a scene with star KURT RUSSELL on the set of DreamWorks Pictures' DREAMER: INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY.

Balon (LUIS GUZMÁN) teaches Cale (DAKOTA FANNING) some of the ropes of horse racing in DreamWorks Pictures' DREAMER: INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY.

DAKOTA FANNING films a scene on one of the mechanical horses created to protect horse and rider in some of the more challenging riding sequences.

Ben Crane (KURT RUSSELL) and his daughter Cale (DAKOTA FANNING) see how Sonya's leg is coming along in DreamWorks Pictures' DREAMER: INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY.

Prince Sadir (ODED FEHR, center) salutes Cale Crane and her family at the Breeders' Cup Classic

Manolin (FREDDY RODRIGUEZ) and Cale (DAKOTA FANNING) enjoy the celebration at the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Jockey Manolin (FREDDY RODRIGUEZ, left) and Balon the groomer (LUIS GUZMÁN) wonder what will happen to them when their boss, Ben Crane, loses his job.

KURT RUSSELL stars as Ben Crane in DreamWorks Pictures' DREAMER: INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY.

Crane (KURT RUSSELL) checks if his horse Sonya is ready for the big race in DreamWorks Pictures' DREAMER: INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY.

Cale Crane (DAKOTA FANNING) earns the trust of an injured racehorse, who becomes her constant companion.

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON stars as Pop Crane in DreamWorks Pictures' DREAMER: INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY.

Ben Crane (KURT RUSSELL) and his daughter Cale (DAKOTA FANNING) work together to bring an injured racehorse back to her former glory.

View All Photos (70)

Movie Info

Ben Crane (Kurt Russell) is a horse trainer who is struggling to connect with his precocious daughter, Cale (Dakota Fanning). But then a horse by the name of Soñador suffers a broken leg after its evil owner (David Morse) races her despite Ben's advice. Rather than put his client's injured horse down, Ben adopts her and welcomes Cale into the family business. They train Soñador to race again as grouchy but kind-hearted Grandpa (Kris Kristofferson) lends his encouragement.

Rating:

PG (Brief Mild Language)
Genre:

Kids & family, Drama
Original Language:

English
Director:

John Gatins
Producer:

Michael Tollin, Brian Robbins, Hunt Lowry
Writer:

John Gatins
Release Date (Theaters):

Oct 16, 2005 original
Release Date (Streaming):

Mar 21, 2006
Box Office (Gross USA):

$32.7M
Runtime:

1h 38m
Distributor:

DreamWorks SKG
Sound Mix:

Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio:

Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Kurt Russell
Ben Crane

Dakota Fanning
Cale Crane

Kris Kristofferson
Pop Crane

Elisabeth Shue
Lily

David Morse
Palmer

Freddy Rodríguez
Manolin

Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story

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Critic Reviews for Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story

All Critics (116) | Top Critics (36) | Fresh (74) | Rotten (42)

Full Review… Marrit Ingman Austin Chronicle

Full Review… Neil Smith BBC.com

Full Review… Richard Roeper Ebert & Roeper

Full Review… Desson Thomson Washington Post

Full Review… Tom Keogh Seattle Times

Full Review… Ruthe Stein San Francisco Chronicle

Full Review… Peter Sobczynski eFilmCritic.com

Full Review… Robert Roten Laramie Movie Scope

Full Review… Carolyn Arends Christianity Today

Full Review… Jim Lane Sacramento News & Review

Full Review… David Cornelius DVDTalk.com

Full Review… Christopher Null Filmcritic.com

View All Critic Reviews (116)

Audience Reviews for Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story

Sep 06, 2012

"When you ran, the ground shook, the sky opened and mere mortals parted..." Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story is a compelling and heartwarming film that's incredibly uplifting. The story follows a family that's brought together by their efforts to save a racehorse with a broken leg. Kurt Russell and Dakota Fanning lead the cast, and are supported by Kris Kristofferson and Elizabeth Shue. But, it's really Fanning's outstanding performance that carries the film; she has great chemistry with Russell and comes off as incredibly sincere. Additionally, the film is especially well-crafted. While it may appear a little formulaic on the surface, Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story is a wonderful family film with a lot of heart.

Dann M Super Reviewer
Mar 24, 2010

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

Jonny C Super Reviewer
Mar 19, 2010

dreams can come true

erika b Super Reviewer
Jan 23, 2010

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

Cassie H Super Reviewer

See All Audience reviews

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