Dreamer: Inspired by a true story

Dreamer: Inspired by a true story, starring Kurt Russell, Dakota Fanning, Kris Kristofferson, and Freddy Rodriguez, is a family-friendly film opening October 21. Dreamer tells the story of the fractured Crane family—who suffer crumbled dreams, damaged souls, and strained communication—and how an injured racehorse, Sonya, helps heal their broken relationships and renew their faith in their dreams.

Each member of the Crane family has a reason for wanting to help nurse Sonya back to health: Pop Crane (Kristofferson) sees the chance to restore the relationship with his son; Ben Crane (Russell) sees an opportunity to address the family’s financial problems; and Cale Crane (Fanning) hopes to become a part of her father’s world.

Dreamer marks the directorial debut of John Gatins, who also wrote the screenplay. “This movie…is about family,“ says Gatins. “At the end of the day, family is what counts. It’s the most important thing.”

Gatins, who describes the film as “uplifting, classic, and heartwarming,” felt right at home setting the film in the competitive world of horseracing: “When I was growing up, we lived near the Roosevelt Horse Farms in New York. I used to see them on the way to school. I was only ten when I went to the racetrack for the first time. I always tell people this movie had a very long and expensive research process because I am a big horseracing fan.”

Despite Gatins’s affinity for horses, filming wasn’t completely smooth for all of the actors. “I’m very allergic to horses. I didn’t realize that until I started the film,” explains Freddy Rodriguez, who plays jockey Manolin. “When we’d film in the barn, they’d have to cover up all the windows in order to get the correct lighting. Once they did that there wouldn’t be any ventilation in the barn… I’d go in there, film the scene, come back out, and start sneezing!”

Gatins explains that the story of racehorse Mariah’s Storm was the inspiration behind the film. Mariah’s Storm was a promising filly looking to make a bid in the 1993 Breeders’ Cup (in which she would have been one of the favorites). But, she suffered a fractured left front cannon bone—an injury so severe that it could have ended her racing days. Her owners and trainers did not lose faith. They helped to nurse Mariah’s Storm back to health, and she went on to continue her impressive career, winning the Turfway Breeders’ Cup in 1995.

“This movie is about dreams,“ says Gatins. “It is about the dreams of a young girl who idolizes her father, the dreams of a family that has fallen on hard times, and the dream they all share for a remarkable horse that brings them together.”

The innocent beliefs and grand dreams that children hold are central themes in Dreamer.

“My oldest son is only four and he believes that everybody is good,” says Gatins. “He has a hope and belief in everything. I love that about kids—a spirit of of course I can do this!”

Cale Crane’s hope, belief, determination, and dreams are behind the restoration of the broken relationships in Dreamer. Dakota Fanning, who plays Cale, offers the suggestion to “just follow your dreams. Anything you put your mind to, you can do.”

When asked what he dreams of, Freddy Rodriguez replies that he dreams of “being the best father I can be.”

After watching this film, you may want to use it as a springboard to ask your children about their dreams and help foster them. Younger children dream of worlds of make-believe. They dress up as knights, pirates, and fairies; they pretend to be racecar drivers, jockeys, and pop-stars. In doing so, they are stepping into the shoes of grown-ups—sometimes literally.

These dreams of make-believe are important developmental stages in children’s lives. They help the mental and social development of children, and such creativity should be encouraged.

When encouraging creative play, parents can help create a nurturing environment: Provide a safe and inviting environment that will allow your children to explore. Provide materials, such as dress-up clothes and empty boxes, that will encourage creativity—try to avoid too many toys that require no imagination. Involve yourself in the play, play along with your children. Remember that their imaginations are running wild: Make sure you listen to your children’s ideas, and let them lead you in the play. And don’t forget to encourage them to dream!