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Kris Kristofferson stars as Pop Crane, Cale's grandfather

Early in the movie Cale learns that Sonador is Spanish for "dreamer," and the film gives a lot of dialogue time to the idea that dreams—whether they're obtainable or not—are essential to the human spirit. Again, Gatins is covering some pretty familiar territory. But a more compelling theme developed in Dreamer is the power found not in dreaming a dream, but in sharing it with the people you love. When Cale and her dad and her crusty old grandpa all let themselves hope for the same thing, and when they work hard toward achieving it together, the story's magic and the film's best moments happen. We are reminded that it is the dreams that take us outside of ourselves and unite us to each other that matter most. Maybe we've heard that before, but it's an idea worth hearing again.

Talk About It

1. Lily tells Ben it's not important that Cale's dream come true, only that she be permitted to dream it. Do you agree with that idea? Discuss.
   
   
2. Gambling plays a big role in Dreamer—not only in terms of literal wagering at the track, but also in terms of the risks Ben must take to potentially rebuild his farm. What level of risk do you think is acceptable in any business or endeavor (see Matt. 25:14-30)?
   
   
3. The Crane family is healed and strengthened less by analyzing their relationships and more by being united in a common mission. Can you think of one venture or goal your family could share in the next month?
   
   

The Family Corner

Dreamer is rated PG for some mild cursing. The scene in which the horse is injured may be disturbing to very young or sensitive viewers. There is an extended subplot about animal breeding—it's handled matter-of-factly and without any specific details, but parents of perceptive kids may find themselves fielding some birds-and-bees questions. On the whole, Dreamer is a wholesome film that affirms the importance of family.

Photos © Copyright DreamWorks Distribution LLC

© Carolyn Arends 2005, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

America's biggest little superstar, 11-year-old Dakota Fanning, has had quite a year. She's been in Hide and Seek, War of the Worlds, Nine Lives, and she'll star in the upcoming adaptation of Charlotte's Web.

And now she's starring in a film about a girl who works out some tough issues with her father, even as she helps an underdog (underhorse?) come back to compete on the racetrack again. Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story co-stars Kurt Russell, and is directed by Coach Carter's John Gatins.

The film is full of familiar material, but Christian critics don't mind too much. They're just happy to have a well made, clean, appealing family film on the big screens.

Carolyn Arends (Christianity Today Movies) writes, "Clichés are usually clichés because they're true, and formulas are generally formulas because they work. Dreamer … is loaded with enough clichés and formulas to choke a horse. But truly, it works. Kids who haven't seen many other horse movies will find the story thrilling; adults will likely find it engaging in a nostalgic sort of way."

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