Review: Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (**)

DREAMER: INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY
A film review by Steve Rhodes

Copyright 2005 Steve Rhodes



RATING (0 TO ****): **



DREAMER isn't merely inspired by a true story. The studio has formally
included INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY as part of the title to make absolutely
sure that you don't miss noticing the claim. The film is a harmless enough
horse movie, but you've seen it all before and usually in a more convincing
and rousing manner.



Writer and director John Gatins sets a pace for the picture that is in no
danger of winning any races at all. The film has a cliché around every
turn, but it takes forever to make the turns, lumbering along like an old
nag.



The cast is good. Kurt Russell, who was excellent earlier this year as the
superhero father in SKY HIGH, again plays a dad, this time one named Ben
Crane. Ben has a farm with a large horse barn but no horses. He has been
selling off his land for years, and his house in foreclosure. He and his
father (Kris Kristofferson playing Kris Kristofferson) have been at odds for
years. Rest assured, however, that they'll be bonded buddies again before
the ending credits roll.



Other supporting cast include Elisabeth Shue as the wife and Luis Guzmán as
one of the helpers. The star of the production is the prolific Dakota
Fanning, who plays Cale, Ben's daughter and soon to be race horse owner.



The story concerns a horse named Soñador, which we are told, is Spanish for
"dreamer." Soñador is injured in the first competition we see her in. The
horse's owner wants and assumes that his horse will be "put down"
immediately. Ben objects and ends up being fired. He negotiates to get
Soñador as part of his severance package. He hopes to breed her and thereby
work his way out of debt. Any guesses as to what is really going to happen?



Along the way to the story's inevitable conclusion, much inspirational music
is played and aerial shots of green pastures are shown. Platitudes abound.
Ben's wife lectures him sternly, "I'll work seven days a week at the diner,
if you'll spend more time with this girl." (She isn't talking about a
mistress but about their daughter.) The parents, who are about to go under
financially, are more concerned with their daughter's being able to follow
her dream than whether the bank will repossess their home. The logic of the
family's financial decisions is strange to say the least. The only way to
understand it is to assume that they possess a winning lottery ticket that
only they know about.



Slowly, but surely, the story eventually gets to the big race. You know the
rest.



DREAMER runs too long at 1:45. It is rated PG for "brief mild language" and
would be acceptable for all ages.



The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, October 21, 2005.
In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC theaters, the Century
theaters and the Camera Cinemas.



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