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!

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.

Let me start off by saying that i wasn't totally disappointed with this movie. I'm a big fan of thoroughbred movies (i liked Seabiscuit and Ruffian)i don't know maybe it's because i'm an animal lover. But I will say that a lot of the scenes were very predictable (horse gets injured old trainer/veterinarian offers to nurse her back to health owner is your typical a****** bad guys are Arabian sheiks who knows how they got rich). The scenery and racing scenes were beautiful. The music mediocre only. The relationship between father and daughter comes of as more of a father son relationship. I will say that i don't like Dakota Fanning especially after War of the worlds. She acts beyond her years in this film, like an urban teen/young adult instead of 10 year old girl. Her feeding the horse Popsicles every night was stupid. And lastly anyone should know that a horse falling on its neck like that would cause more damage than just a broken leg. I won't give away the ending but all in all just a mediocre film.

Much has been made in these pages about this film, as far as not being a true story. This inspired account about an injured horse the Crane family bring back to life, is one of the most engaging films about the racing sport in memory. Of course, this is no "Seabiscuit", but the film makers are not claiming it to be.John Gantins, the director and writer of this picture, knows what to give the public. Aside from the heart warming feeling in the film, he was blessed with a cast that does justice to the material. The love of a young girl for a horse, that by all accounts should have been shot because of the injured it suffered during an accident, is the stuff that makes good family movies. "Dreamer, Inspired by a True Story" is totally dominated by Dakota Fanning's presence in the film. Miss Fanning, is a luminous young actress the camera adores. She is a natural, as she shows in this film. Dakota Fanning has the uncanny ability of being real at all times. Her love for Sonador and her determination to take the horse to the Breeders' race consumes her, as well as her family.Kurt Russell is also good as Cale's father. He is a man of principle who loves what he does best, bringing horses to their full potential. Kris Kristofferson plays the grandfather who wants Cale to succeed and in the process he is reunited with his son. Elizabeth Shue is seen as a mother who has to work to help meet ends when her husband loses his job. David Morse, one of the best character actors around doesn't have much to do, and the same goes for the wonderful Luis Guzman, playing one of the stable men.The film is recommended for families with children. Mr. Gantins created an excellent entertainment that will satisfy young and old because it shows a young girl with a firm resolution to do the right thing for the horse she loves.