Dreamer: Inspired By a True Story (2005)

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

This movie should eventually earn the distinction of being listed as a classic in films. It has it all; story, script, great photography, acting, the message of indomitable spirit, good music score, genius of casting with Kristofferson and Russell as father and son. Although the true story of the horse that inspired this film is quite different from this movie, this movie is excellent, inspired movie-making, and expands the drama of a true-life story. There are lots of warm fuzzies -- like Cale's nocturnal visits to the stables sharing Popsicles with Sonya, and keeping count with the sticks. And tense adventure, too, with Sonya startled into running with Cale on her back for the first time. The contrast of poor people struggling to maintain in the world of the sport of kings is inspirational and can inspire you to be a Dreamer of big dreams again. An excellent family film you won't be sorry you watched!

Will watch as often as I can.....something about it! I saved to DVR a year ago, and first time I watched, was absolutely freaked in the first 10 minutes, and absolutely fell in love with the movie from there on. I so wish to meet these people who inspired this film, and of course the horse. But for me this will be a dream. Maybe the movies name caught my eye, and the name of the horse in the movie held me. Always been a dreamer ! And stories like this make me believe Dreamers can achieve, which I need. Dakota, Kurt, Elizabeth and Kris....awesome job. Have seen you all over the years in other things, but will NEVER forget you in this. Going to check that 2005 Breeders Cup online. Am very interested in seeing how things continued over the years since.

I fell in-love with this movie from beginning to end,the first time i watched it i closed my eyes in the beginning when i saw the horse "Sonador" fall,i cried through this whole movie and at the same time,had a wonderful smile on my face..Dakota fanning is just wonderful, all of my favorite actors in this movie, i wish it could have been longer and shown more of "Sonador's" recovery etc,,but the last 10minutes,the last part of the race i could feel the uplifting experience of "Sonador"across the finishing line,a baby could watch this it is just that compatible for families.this movie deserves an academy..so needless to say whenever it comes on,and i have also taped it, i have to watch it again and again.just to see the bad guys in it,if there are such things in this,loose...I fell in-love with the sheik when he spoke to Dakota about her horse winning,i would have loved to have seen them all sitting together tho at the races.the sheik the cranes and the wonderful Spanish horsey handler..it did my heart so good to see the Prince,stand up and acknowledge "Cale" and "sonador" in the winners circle...thanks for letting me express these feelings..god bless to all. "Irene"

This is a feel good film. It stars the ever adorable Dakota Fanning. She lives on a horse farm, yet her family has no horses. Her parents struggle to pay the bills and have to sell most of their farm. Her dad is a horse training. One of his horses breaks her leg running a race. The owner wants to put the horse down, but the dad, Ben, agrees to take the horse and some money as payment before being fired. Healing the horse helps to heal the relationships between dad and daughter and Ben and his pop. Ben gives Cale ownership of the horse and trains it with help to one day race again. She enters the horse in the Breeder's Cup. And since it is a feel good family film, you can guess how it ends. But, it's a good story to get to the the predictable ending.FINAL VERDICT: Worth watching, kids will like it. And if you like horses, I recommend it to.