Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story

Name: Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story
Genre: Drama, Sport, Family
Released: October 21, 2005
Duration: 106 min
Rating: 59
Cast: Dakota Fanning, Kurt Russell, Oded Fehr

2005

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 45 Ratings

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6.6

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6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 45 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

DreamWorks Distribution | Release Date: October 21, 2005 | PG

Starring: Dakota Fanning, Kurt Russell, Oded Fehr

Summary: Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story tells the story of a father who, for the love of his daughter, sacrifices almost everything to save the life of an injured racehorse and bring the promising filly back to her former glory. (DreamWorks)

Director: John Gatins

Genre(s): Drama, Sport, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 106 min

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Critic Reviews

Kyle Smith

Thebest sports movies aren't really about sports. Dreamer has a few thundering horse races, but its finest moments are beautifully still ones, like the one in which a little girl peeks through a fence to give a lame filly a Popsicle. Read full review

Steven Rea

Nicely run through its paces by John Gatins, who also wrote the screenplay (it's his directing debut), Dreamer is, not surprisingly, about daring to dream the big dreams. It's about family, and faith, and facing hard times together. Read full review

Carina Chocano

The low-key charm of its setting underscores the easygoing performances of a relaxed, well-matched cast. Kristofferson doesn't oversell the grizzled grandpa routine or talk down to the little girl. Read full review

Joe Leydon

Modestly engaging but mostly unexceptional. Read full review

Gregory Kirschling

One more feel-great sports movie with a teen-poetry title and Kurt Russell will have himself a trilogy. Read full review

Jennie Punter

Certainly not a stinker. Yet despite its squeaky-clean appearance, this family flick has a pervasive and decidedly stale aroma. Read full review

Ben Kenigsberg

Adults will be restless as stabled bucks, but even children may need unusually high Ritalin doses to slog through the visual and dramatic indifference on display. Read full review

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User Reviews

LeoS.

Oct 17, 2005

Simple, linear and moving, the film hits all the right notes for a true family film. It is a nice story, beautiful scenery, attractive characters and enough drama to cause the little ones some concern. No aliens, no explosions, just the world's greatest actress getting the role she Simple, linear and moving, the film hits all the right notes for a true family film. It is a nice story, beautiful scenery, attractive characters and enough drama to cause the little ones some concern. No aliens, no explosions, just the world's greatest actress getting the role she deserves. You could see tough-guy Kurt just melting around Dakota. His best performance.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

CindyW.

Nov 12, 2005

A beautifully filmed, beautifully acted film for those who love a good family film. Dakota Fanning is such an expressive actor.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

DonnaB.

Oct 27, 2006

In a time of such violence, this is truly a welcomed movie. One based on unconditional love. Love for an injured animal that could have had its life cut short instead of being given the time, care and love to heal, allowing it to do what it was meant to do... run. A truly heartwarming movie.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

Froman

Oct 26, 2005

To all the critics who gave this a 70 and below...idiots. Stop concentrating on the trees and remember what true storytelling is.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

DavieR.

Oct 22, 2005

Wanted to love this film? But unfortunately it is so sterile that it is very hard to do so. The film is very slow moving, and for children, it will activate their ADD. Every cliche in the book is used with predictable results. As for the technical aspect of the film, there are more holes Wanted to love this film? But unfortunately it is so sterile that it is very hard to do so. The film is very slow moving, and for children, it will activate their ADD. Every cliche in the book is used with predictable results. As for the technical aspect of the film, there are more holes than swiss cheese. But unless you fully understand the thoroughbred racing business and how it truly works much of this will escape the audience. The sad part is that the actors really do a good job. Dakota Fanning is absolutely darling even if she's an 80-yr. old woman trapped in a ten-year old's body? Unfortunately, the bad guys are the bad guys and the good guys are the good guys with the moral of the story that good triumphs over evil. With just a little bit more imagination this film could have been so much more. Kurt Russell gives his best performance since playing the part of Herb Brooks. Kris demonstrates once again that he is an underused Hollywood star playing the part of Kurt's father. Overall, it's an okay movie but far from great. Even giving it a score of six is a bit of a stretch, but then again, I am a hopeless romantic at heart. Just wish they had placed more thought into this bland script. The film comes across as a dose of weak tea and dry toast.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Harriet

Nov 28, 2005

It may have been inspired by a true story but the story presented never happened. Sappy and bland.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

Reggie

Nov 18, 2005

I think I want to puke. Nothing could be this lame or could it?

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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