Sona-Biscuit
Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story
Review by Ross Anthony

This is a script that is so by-the-numbers that even high-powered actors (and a horse) have a hard time breathing life into it. Trailing the big hit Seabiscuit out of the gates, I'm sure Dreamer is in grand danger of being seen as guilty of hopping on the horse-drawn bandwagon. That said, I think pre-teen and little girls will just love this film. It's a nice film for a father to take his daughter to.

Having a difficult time finding its pace, the film struggles to find its own strong stride amidst movie cliches. It really is a slim down version of Seabiscuit. Though watching the story through the eyes of a little girl makes Dreamer somewhat different. Just as schmaltzy, if not more, it lacks the fullness of production and richness of script.

The relationship between father and daughter (and father and father) strain to give the film its own voice. But with very little attention given to the severed ties, the healing of those ties loses potency. That said, the scene where the father reads the little girl's creative writing story at parents' night absolutely had me in tears. It's a safe, though thin, feel-good story that fathers and daughters ought to have a look at.

This film screened at a Krikorian Theatre.


  • Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story. Copyright © 2005.
  • Starring Kurt Russell, Dakota Fanning, Kris Kristofferson, Elisabeth Shue, David Morse, Freddy Rodriguez, Luis Guzman.
  • Written and Directed by John Gatins.
  • Produced by Brian Robbins, Michael Tollin at DreamWorks/Hyde Park/Tollin/Robbins/Hunt Lowryramount.

Grade..........................B (2/4)

Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.

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Last Modified: Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 08:13:28 PDT