Charming
Three fairy tale princesses find themselves engaged to the same guy, Prince Charming.
The film commercial failure against its mid-range budget of $20.0M, earning $8.8M globally (-56% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its fresh perspective within the animation genre.
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%)
Charming (2018) demonstrates carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Ross Venokur's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 10-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 30 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Prince Charming lives a superficial life in his kingdom, beloved by all but deeply unfulfilled. He's engaged to three princesses simultaneously due to his curse of charming every woman he meets.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when The three princesses discover they're all engaged to Prince Charming and publicly confront him at the ball. His carefully maintained facade collapses as his curse is exposed and he's humiliated before the kingdom.. 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 Collapse moment at 68 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Prince's attempts to break the curse fail catastrophically. Lenore discovers a painful truth or Prince's curse drives her away. The relationship appears destroyed - a death of hope and the connection that gave his journey meaning., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Prince executes his final plan, confronting his curse through authentic self-expression rather than charm. He pursues Lenore with honesty and vulnerability, risking everything for genuine connection. The curse breaks through true love., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Charming's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 10 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Charming against these established plot points, we can identify how Ross Venokur utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Charming within the animation genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Prince Charming lives a superficial life in his kingdom, beloved by all but deeply unfulfilled. He's engaged to three princesses simultaneously due to his curse of charming every woman he meets.
Theme
Lenore suggests that true love requires seeing someone for who they really are, not just their surface charm - hinting at the journey Prince must take to discover his authentic self.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Prince's cursed life with three fiancées (Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty), his overbearing father the King, and the kingdom's expectations. Prince is trapped in a life of superficial charm without genuine connection.
Disruption
The three princesses discover they're all engaged to Prince Charming and publicly confront him at the ball. His carefully maintained facade collapses as his curse is exposed and he's humiliated before the kingdom.
Resistance
Prince debates whether to pursue breaking the curse or accept his fate. Lenore acts as guide, encouraging him to seek his true self. Prince resists leaving his comfortable kingdom despite his misery.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The adventure/quest portion where Prince and Lenore encounter various fairy tale characters and obstacles. Prince attempts to find true love through external means while slowly learning internal lessons about authenticity.
Opposition
Prince's superficial approaches continue to fail. His curse complicates every interaction. The pressure mounts as he realizes his feelings for Lenore are real, but his curse prevents authentic connection. External and internal antagonists close in.
Collapse
Prince's attempts to break the curse fail catastrophically. Lenore discovers a painful truth or Prince's curse drives her away. The relationship appears destroyed - a death of hope and the connection that gave his journey meaning.
Crisis
Prince faces his dark night of the soul, confronting the emptiness of his charmed existence and mourning the loss of genuine connection with Lenore. He processes what true love and authenticity really mean.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Prince executes his final plan, confronting his curse through authentic self-expression rather than charm. He pursues Lenore with honesty and vulnerability, risking everything for genuine connection. The curse breaks through true love.