REVIEW: ‘Dream Horse’ is a Bright, Feel-Good Watch

A little optimism goes a long way and it’s something that we all need right now. What better place to add a little light and joy into your day than with a cozy, feel-good watch? Dream Horse is refreshingly simple, relentlessly optimistic, and a pleasant ride that any viewer can sit back and enjoy.

Dream Horse is based on the incredible true story of the Welsh racehorse, Dream Alliance. An inspirational illustration of greatness being born in the most unlikely of circumstances, the film tells the story of a small-town woman who reaches for a bigger life. The film stars Toni Collette, Damian Lewis, Owen Teale, and Joanna Page, with Euros Lyn directing and a jaunty screenplay written by Neil McKay.

Jan Vokes (Toni Collette) scrounges together her savings to buy a mare, with the goal of breeding and training a racehorse. She convinces her neighbors to chip in their meager earnings to breed the mare, raise her foal (appropriately named Dream), and train Dream to become a strong competitor amongst elite racehorses. The rough around the edges colt rises through the ranks of the Welsh racing circuit, taking the ragtag group of investors to places they couldn’t imagine.

There’s nothing complicated about this film It’s the all-too-familiar tale of a woman, settled into a simple marriage and a simple life, that dreams of change and adventure. Within the drudgery of this quaint story is an undeniable charm, brought to life by a cast of lovable characters and the soft glow of hope. Dream Horse is treading a well-worn path, in terms of storytelling, but what it lacks in innovation it makes up for in pure warm fuzzies.

The entire film is sweet, bright, and gentle. You fall in love with the characters, you fall in love with this town, and you fall in love with that plucky little colt. Watching Dream Horse evokes the same comfort as drawing a cozy shawl around your shoulders. You feel warm and you feel held. Dream Horse also works as a perfectly competent sports film. Horse racing features are nothing new and Dream Horse is comfortably familiar with the ideal gait of these stories. The parallel of a hearts racing, “stand up and cheer” racing feature with the gentle warmth of Jan’s more intimate narrative works really well.

Dream Horse is a lovable film that anyone can snuggle up with and enjoy. This sweet story enjoys the elevating effect of Toni Collette’s consistently solid performance. Uplifting and brimming over with joy and hope, Dream Horse goes straight to the winner’s circle.

Dream Horse opens in theaters on May 21, 2021, and will be available On-Demand on June 11.

Cait Kennedy

Caitlin is a sweater enthusiast, film critic, and lean, mean writing machine based in Austin, TX. Her love of film began with being shown Rosemary’s Baby at a particularly impressionable age and she’s been hooked ever since. She loves a good bourbon and hates people who talk in movies. Caitlin has been writing since 2014 and you can find her work on Film Inquiry, The Financial Diet, Nightmarish Conjurings, and many others. Follow her on Twitter at @CaitDoes.