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.

Saw this movie in November 2008 for the first time. Makes my eyes water and makes me feel good, real good every time. Contrary to what some folks claim, I didn't know what was going to happen from one moment to the next and there is surprise and suspense throughout. Loved the music and the dialogue. This movie doesn't rely on foul language, sex, violence or props like constantly ringing telephones. It's just a decent, well made, beautiful movie that reaches for goodness and delivers. When I'm sad or down I watch Dreamer because it never fails to make me feel good. But if you're out of touch with your feelings, hard hearted or cynical, you'll be disappointed. Thank you John Gatins for winning the "Triple Crown" with "Dreamer", my new favorite film."Rags to Riches" the first filly in 100 years to win the "Belmont Stakes" in 2007 is pregnant by "Giants Causeway" the real life colt of "Mariah's Storm" the horse who is the inspiration for "Dreamer".

The movie "Dreamer" was a pretty darned good movie but was not a blockbuster. Eliz. Shue played a really good part and so did Kurt Russell and a really believable situation with their old ranch and lifestyle. The acting was professional and done very well. Little Fanning did an extraordinary good job as a young actress in this movie. Kris Kristofferson just didn't cut it for me as the old man. I'm used to seeing him in macho flicks, not portrayed as some old Grandpa. They would have done better with getting Wilford Brimley in this movie. However, with that said, it's a good movie and entertained me for a couple of hours and made me forget my troubles. BUT it couldn't come close to one of my FAVORITE horse racing movies of all time: Nat'l Velvet, w/Mickey Rooney Donald Crisp and Elizabeth Taylor. Dreamer was more like a business deal with Dakota as the owner and not enough emotion and feeling in the movie and not believable for me when he won. In Nat'l Velvet, in my opinion, it was all about a horse's love for a little girl and definitely believable that he won that National race. Little Elizabeth Taylor was so innocent and loving in Nat'l V and kicked ass at the end in the big National race with all those fancy trained horses and jockeys. They couldn't beat the one thing that motivated "the Pi". He ran with his heart. He loved that little girl and he knew what he was doing when he had her on him and was running against all those fancy race horses that should have walked all over him, but.......love triumphs every time, as it should, over money, prestige and most important the odds and it made for a lot better movie + in Nat'l V, the climactic ending seemed to take forever but in my books the timing was perfect. The music of "Dreamer" is definitely worth the $$ though. I commend John Debney for a beautifully written movie score. I bought the CD and play it all the time, so I know. Dennis (aka bearclaw)

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.