Family/Drama, also available to buy. Starring: Kurt Russell, Dakota Fanning, Elizabeth Shue, Kris Kristofferson, Luis Guzman, Freddy Rodriguez, David Morse.

GIFTED horse trainer Ben Crane (Russell) spends so much time caring for the majestic animals that he badly neglects his wife Lily (Shue) and spirited young daughter Cale (Fanning).

During a day out at the races, Cale witnesses her father arguing with his boss, Palmer (Morse), about the fitness of a horse called Sonador - affectionately known as Sonya. Ben and his boss clash; heated words are exchanged and Ben is sacked, taking Sonya as part of his severance pay.

Like his former employer, Ben cannot see any future for the horse - the injury to the leg will cut short the animal's glittering career on the racetrack. However, Cale sees a spark in the horse's eyes and she sets about bringing together her father and the emotionally scarred steed.

Dreamer is a well-groomed adventure of sporting ambition, inspired by the heartwarming true story of filly Mariah's Storm that recovered from a fractured left front cannon bone to gallop to glory in three stakes races.

Accomplishes

First-time feature director John Gatins accomplishes the tricky feat of working alongside children and animals with aplomb. In particular, the racing sequences are beautifully executed, using slow motion to capture the athletic grace of the horses in motion.

Russell delivers a strong performance as a family man learning to open his heart to his daughter, but once again it's Fanning who steals every frame. The 11-year-old wunderkind canters through the entire emotional spectrum to convey the determination and courage of a girl willing to put her heart on the line to chase her dreams.

In the final furlong, there's an excess of sentimentality, but when Sonya sprints towards the finishing line in those closing frames, it's hard not to feel even a small lump in your throat. Giddy up!

DVD Extras: The Year Of Dakota featurette, A Filmmaker's Dream featurette, sound bites, b-roll footage, music video, theatrical trailer.

Tweet