Enchanted
The beautiful princess Giselle is banished by an evil queen from her magical, musical animated land and finds herself in the gritty reality of the streets of modern-day Manhattan. Shocked by this strange new environment that doesn't operate on a "happily ever after" basis, Giselle is now adrift in a chaotic world badly in need of enchantment. But when Giselle begins to fall in love with a charmingly flawed divorce lawyer who has come to her aid - even though she is already promised to a perfect fairy tale prince back home - she has to wonder: Can a storybook view of romance survive in the real world?
Despite a significant budget of $85.0M, Enchanted became a box office success, earning $340.5M worldwide—a 301% return.
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%)
Enchanted (2007) exemplifies meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Kevin Lima's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Animated fairy tale opening: Giselle in her cottage, singing about true love's kiss, surrounded by woodland animals. She embodies pure Disney princess innocence, dreaming of her prince in a world where true love conquers all.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Queen Narissa, disguised as an old hag, pushes Giselle into the magic well, banishing her to "a place where there are no happily ever afters" - modern-day Manhattan. Giselle emerges from a manhole in Times Square, live-action and utterly lost.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Robert actively chooses to let Giselle stay the night in his apartment rather than abandon her. This decision commits him to entering her world of belief in magic and romance, while she begins living in his world of reality and cynicism., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat At the King and Queen ball, Giselle and Robert share an enchanted dance. For the first time, both experience real romantic connection - not fairy tale fantasy or cynical practicality, but genuine emotion. Stakes raise: they're falling for each other, but she's engaged to Edward and he's with Nancy., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Giselle eats the poisoned apple and falls into death-like sleep. The fairy tale solution has become the problem - true love's kiss is needed, but she's caught between two worlds. Edward's kiss fails because he's not her true love. The old magic is dead., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Robert kisses Giselle and she awakens - his love is true. He synthesizes fairy tale belief with real-world emotion. But Narissa transforms into a dragon and kidnaps Robert. Now Giselle must use both her fairy tale courage AND real-world strength to save him., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Enchanted'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 Enchanted against these established plot points, we can identify how Kevin Lima utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Enchanted within the comedy genre.
Kevin Lima's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Kevin Lima films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Enchanted exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Kevin Lima filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Kevin Lima analyses, see A Goofy Movie.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Animated fairy tale opening: Giselle in her cottage, singing about true love's kiss, surrounded by woodland animals. She embodies pure Disney princess innocence, dreaming of her prince in a world where true love conquers all.
Theme
Nathaniel tells Prince Edward "True love's kiss - the most powerful thing in the world." This establishes the central thematic question: Is storybook romance real, or do relationships require something deeper than fairy tale magic?
Worldbuilding
Establishes Andalasia's animated fairy tale world, introduces Giselle's innocent worldview, Prince Edward's heroic rescue, their instant engagement, and Queen Narissa's villainy. She fears losing power if Edward marries, so she plots to eliminate Giselle.
Disruption
Queen Narissa, disguised as an old hag, pushes Giselle into the magic well, banishing her to "a place where there are no happily ever afters" - modern-day Manhattan. Giselle emerges from a manhole in Times Square, live-action and utterly lost.
Resistance
Giselle wanders confused through harsh New York reality. Robert, a cynical divorce lawyer, reluctantly helps her after she's nearly hit by bikes. His daughter Morgan is enchanted by Giselle. Robert debates whether to help this strange woman, while Giselle struggles to understand this non-magical world.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Robert actively chooses to let Giselle stay the night in his apartment rather than abandon her. This decision commits him to entering her world of belief in magic and romance, while she begins living in his world of reality and cynicism.
Mirror World
Robert's girlfriend Nancy is introduced. She represents Robert's "practical" approach to love - scheduled, rational, unromantic. She contrasts sharply with Giselle's passionate belief in true love, creating the thematic mirror that will reflect Robert's emotional journey.
Premise
The fun: Giselle brings fairy tale magic to New York. She summons animals to clean the apartment, creates a dress from curtains, and causes chaos at Robert's law office. Central Park musical number "That's How You Know" teaches Robert about romance. Edward and Pip arrive searching for Giselle.
Midpoint
At the King and Queen ball, Giselle and Robert share an enchanted dance. For the first time, both experience real romantic connection - not fairy tale fantasy or cynical practicality, but genuine emotion. Stakes raise: they're falling for each other, but she's engaged to Edward and he's with Nancy.
Opposition
Complications intensify. Edward finds Giselle but she's confused about her feelings. Robert pulls away, recommitting to Nancy and logic. Narissa arrives in New York disguised, plotting to poison Giselle. Robert and Giselle argue about fairy tales versus reality. Everyone's emotions create mounting pressure.
Collapse
Giselle eats the poisoned apple and falls into death-like sleep. The fairy tale solution has become the problem - true love's kiss is needed, but she's caught between two worlds. Edward's kiss fails because he's not her true love. The old magic is dead.
Crisis
Robert races against time as Giselle dies. Edward's kiss failed. Nancy realizes Robert loves Giselle and pushes him to kiss her. Robert faces his deepest fear - believing in irrational love and magic - while Giselle slips away. Dark night of doubt and desperation.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Robert kisses Giselle and she awakens - his love is true. He synthesizes fairy tale belief with real-world emotion. But Narissa transforms into a dragon and kidnaps Robert. Now Giselle must use both her fairy tale courage AND real-world strength to save him.
Synthesis
Giselle battles dragon-Narissa atop the Woolworth Building, combining princess determination with New York toughness. She saves Robert (reversing the damsel trope). Narissa falls to her death. Edward and Nancy discover they're perfect for each other. Everyone finds their true match.
Transformation
One year later: Giselle has stayed in New York, now designing dresses in the real world with Robert and Morgan as her family. She's found a synthesis - keeping her optimism and belief in love while embracing reality. Robert smiles genuinely, having learned to believe in magic again.