Blown Away
Jimmy Dove works for the bomb squad in Boston and he is always the one who is on the tough jobs. One day he decides to quit the force and to become a teacher for the rookies of the squad. A few days later his former partner is killed by a bomb and Jimmy becomes suspicious that maybe this bomb could have been built by a former friend of himself. He begins to investigate and finds out that his worst nightmare has returned from his past.
Working with a moderate budget of $28.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $30.2M in global revenue (+8% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Blown Away (1994) reveals carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Stephen Hopkins's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 1 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Jimmy Dove
Ryan Gaerity
Kate Dove
Captain Roarke
Anthony Franklin
Max O'Bannon
Main Cast & Characters
Jimmy Dove
Played by Jeff Bridges
Boston bomb squad expert haunted by his past, trying to leave the dangerous work behind for a peaceful life with his family.
Ryan Gaerity
Played by Tommy Lee Jones
Psychotic Irish terrorist bomber seeking revenge against his former protégé Jimmy Dove for betraying him years ago.
Kate Dove
Played by Suzy Amis
Jimmy's wife, a classical violinist who loves her husband but fears his dangerous profession and wants him to retire.
Captain Roarke
Played by Forest Whitaker
Jimmy's superior officer in the Boston bomb squad, a gruff but supportive leader who respects Jimmy's expertise.
Anthony Franklin
Played by Lloyd Bridges
Young, eager bomb technician who looks up to Jimmy and wants to learn from the master despite the dangers.
Max O'Bannon
Played by Caitlin Clarke
Irish pub owner and Jimmy's uncle figure who harbors dark knowledge about Jimmy's past identity in Ireland.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jimmy Dove, respected Boston bomb squad technician, successfully defuses a bomb at a construction site. He appears confident, skilled, and in control of his new American life.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Ryan Gaerity, Jimmy's former terrorist partner from Ireland, escapes from prison in a violent explosion. The news reaches Boston, though Jimmy doesn't know yet that Gaerity is coming for him.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Jimmy's mentor is killed by one of Gaerity's bombs. Jimmy abandons his retirement plans and commits fully to stopping the bomber, knowing it's Gaerity and that he must face his past., moving from reaction to action.
At 62 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Jimmy confronts Gaerity directly for the first time since Ireland. Gaerity reveals he knows everything about Jimmy's new life - where he lives, about Kate, his fabricated identity. The stakes raise dramatically; this is personal, not just professional., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 90 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Gaerity kidnaps Kate and rigs her with a bomb. Jimmy arrives too late to prevent it. He must choose between saving her and catching Gaerity. A close friend dies in an explosion. Jimmy hits rock bottom, losing everything he's built., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 97 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Jimmy discovers where Gaerity is holding Kate - a location tied to their shared past. He realizes he must face Gaerity as equals: not as cop vs. Criminal, but as the men they both really are. He synthesizes his old and new identities., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Blown Away's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Blown Away against these established plot points, we can identify how Stephen Hopkins utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Blown Away within the action genre.
Stephen Hopkins's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Stephen Hopkins films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Blown Away takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Stephen Hopkins filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Stephen Hopkins analyses, see The Ghost and the Darkness, Lost in Space and A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Child.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jimmy Dove, respected Boston bomb squad technician, successfully defuses a bomb at a construction site. He appears confident, skilled, and in control of his new American life.
Theme
Jimmy's mentor and friend talks about how "you can't run from your past forever" during a casual conversation, foreshadowing the central conflict Jimmy will face.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Jimmy's world: his bomb squad team, his relationship with Kate (his girlfriend/student), his quiet Boston life, his retirement plans. We learn he's built a new identity away from his mysterious past in Northern Ireland.
Disruption
Ryan Gaerity, Jimmy's former terrorist partner from Ireland, escapes from prison in a violent explosion. The news reaches Boston, though Jimmy doesn't know yet that Gaerity is coming for him.
Resistance
A series of sophisticated bombs begin appearing in Boston. Jimmy debates whether to stay involved or retire as planned. Gaerity begins his campaign of terror, targeting people connected to Jimmy. Jimmy resists believing his past has caught up with him.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jimmy's mentor is killed by one of Gaerity's bombs. Jimmy abandons his retirement plans and commits fully to stopping the bomber, knowing it's Gaerity and that he must face his past.
Mirror World
Jimmy opens up to Kate about his real past in Ireland, deepening their relationship. Kate represents the life of honesty and redemption Jimmy wants, contrasting with the lies he's been living.
Premise
Cat-and-mouse game between Jimmy and Gaerity. Jimmy uses his knowledge of Gaerity's bomb-making techniques to track him. Gaerity taunts Jimmy with increasingly elaborate devices. The promise of the premise: expert vs. expert in deadly puzzle-solving.
Midpoint
Jimmy confronts Gaerity directly for the first time since Ireland. Gaerity reveals he knows everything about Jimmy's new life - where he lives, about Kate, his fabricated identity. The stakes raise dramatically; this is personal, not just professional.
Opposition
Gaerity escalates his attacks, targeting Jimmy's personal life. Jimmy's lies catch up with him as Kate discovers the full truth about his terrorist past. The police begin to suspect Jimmy. Gaerity stays one step ahead, and Jimmy's dual life collapses.
Collapse
Gaerity kidnaps Kate and rigs her with a bomb. Jimmy arrives too late to prevent it. He must choose between saving her and catching Gaerity. A close friend dies in an explosion. Jimmy hits rock bottom, losing everything he's built.
Crisis
Jimmy faces his darkest moment alone. He must accept that his past and present cannot be separated - he must use everything he learned as a terrorist to stop one. He processes the loss and finds new resolve.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jimmy discovers where Gaerity is holding Kate - a location tied to their shared past. He realizes he must face Gaerity as equals: not as cop vs. criminal, but as the men they both really are. He synthesizes his old and new identities.
Synthesis
Final confrontation at the finale. Jimmy infiltrates Gaerity's location, uses his intimate knowledge of Gaerity's methods to defuse multiple devices, and faces him in a climactic showdown. He saves Kate and stops Gaerity using both his terrorist expertise and his bomb squad training.
Transformation
Jimmy walks away with Kate, no longer running from his past. He's integrated both halves of his life. The final image mirrors the opening - him with a bomb - but now he's at peace with who he was and who he's become.