Inspired by a true story, Dreamer is a heartwarming story about a young girl who follows her heart and takes a chance on an underdog.

Raised on a farm with no horses, and brought up on stories of championship races, Cale Crane (Dakota Fanning) dreams of bringing glory back to her family.  Her father, Benjamin Crane (Kurt Russell) is a horse trainer cursed with back luck who has been selling off pieces of their land bit by bit just to make ends meet.   For months, Ben has been putting off taking Cale to the track.  Finally, she has had enough stalling and stands in front of his truck until he lets her go.  Once there, Cale falls in love with the horse her father trains, Soņador and befriends his coworkers, Manolin and Balon.  Something is wrong with Soņador, however, and Ben feels that she should not race in that day's competition.  Unfortunately, he is overruled by her owner, Mr. Palmer, and she races, only to break her leg in the final stretch.

Soņador is now useless to Mr. Palmer, and he argues with Ben about whether or not to put her down.  Ben will not let him, for Cale is with him, and for this he is fired and given Soņador.  With help from Ben's father (Kris Kristofferson), who at first objects, she quickly begins to heel after the leg is set.  Meanwhile, Cale is taken with her, and begins sneaking out to see her every night.  When Cale overhears her father talk about why Soņador is still alive, she takes the horse and tries to run away.  She quickly loses control when Soņador begins to gallop, but is saved by her father who realizes that she may run, and even compete again, but this time under Cale's watch.  It is this turn of events that brings the family closer than they have ever been.

Dreamer is one of the most family friendly movies in years.  In fact, the most offensive content includes an utterance of "hell," one chaste kiss between Cale's parents, and Soņador's original owner, Mr. Palmer, degrading Manolin and Balon by calling them "the Mexicans," always to be refuted by Cale and Ben.  A few scenes may upset younger viewers, like when Soņador breaks her leg in the race, and the owners argue over whether or not to put her down.  However, even these are mild, making Dreamer a movie which can be enjoyed by viewers seven and older.