Ernest & Celestine
There is a world where the Bears live above ground in their cities and the rodents live below in their underground ones in mutual fear and hate. However, Celestine, an apprentice mouse dentist, finds at least momentary common cause with Ernest, a poor street Bear musician, that gets them rejected from both their respective worlds. In spite of this misfortune, the exiles find a growing friendship between themselves as their respective talents flower because of it. Despite this, their quietly profound challenge to the founding prejudices of their worlds cannot be ignored as the authorities track them down. When that happens, Ernest and Celestine must stand up for their love in the face of such bigotry and achieve the impossible.
The film underperformed commercially against its limited budget of $12.5M, earning $8.2M globally (-35% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unconventional structure within the animation genre.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 15 wins & 15 nominations
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%)
Ernest & Celestine (2012) showcases carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Vincent Patar's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 20 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Celestine lives in the mouse orphanage underground, dreaming of a world different from the one she's told about where bears are monsters who eat mice.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Celestine fails to collect enough teeth and is threatened with punishment. Desperate, she ventures into the bear world above ground where she becomes trapped in a garbage can.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Ernest and Celestine actively choose to work together, breaking into the candy shop and then the dentist's storage to steal teeth. They commit to their unlikely partnership despite societal taboos., moving from reaction to action.
At 41 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Both the bear police and mouse authorities discover the unlikely friendship. Ernest and Celestine are identified as criminals in both worlds, raising the stakes and turning their private joy into public crisis., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 59 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ernest and Celestine are captured and separated. They face trial in their respective worlds, confronting the possibility of permanent separation and punishment. Their friendship appears doomed., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 63 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Ernest and Celestine each speak out in court, defending their friendship and challenging the prejudiced laws. They realize that speaking the truth, regardless of consequences, is the only path forward., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Ernest & Celestine's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Ernest & Celestine against these established plot points, we can identify how Vincent Patar utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Ernest & Celestine 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
Celestine lives in the mouse orphanage underground, dreaming of a world different from the one she's told about where bears are monsters who eat mice.
Theme
The matron tells fearful stories about bears, but Celestine questions whether bears are really as terrible as everyone says, hinting at the theme of looking beyond prejudice.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the segregated world: mice live underground in fear of bears above, while bears live in the upper world fearing mice below. Celestine is trained as a tooth collector, gathering bear cubs' teeth.
Disruption
Celestine fails to collect enough teeth and is threatened with punishment. Desperate, she ventures into the bear world above ground where she becomes trapped in a garbage can.
Resistance
Ernest, a starving bear musician, discovers Celestine. Initially planning to eat her, he hesitates. Celestine proposes a deal: she'll help him find food if he helps her collect teeth. They debate whether to trust each other.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ernest and Celestine actively choose to work together, breaking into the candy shop and then the dentist's storage to steal teeth. They commit to their unlikely partnership despite societal taboos.
Mirror World
Ernest takes Celestine to his home, and they begin to bond beyond their transactional relationship. Their friendship becomes the emotional core that will carry the thematic journey.
Premise
Ernest and Celestine live together, navigating their differences and enjoying their friendship. They create art, music, and find joy in each other's company, experiencing the promise of a world without prejudice.
Midpoint
Both the bear police and mouse authorities discover the unlikely friendship. Ernest and Celestine are identified as criminals in both worlds, raising the stakes and turning their private joy into public crisis.
Opposition
The authorities from both worlds hunt for Ernest and Celestine. The pair must hide and flee, facing increasing pressure as both societies close in on them. Their bond is tested by fear and persecution.
Collapse
Ernest and Celestine are captured and separated. They face trial in their respective worlds, confronting the possibility of permanent separation and punishment. Their friendship appears doomed.
Crisis
During their separate trials, both Ernest and Celestine despair but refuse to denounce their friendship. They process the loss while holding onto the truth of what they mean to each other.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Ernest and Celestine each speak out in court, defending their friendship and challenging the prejudiced laws. They realize that speaking the truth, regardless of consequences, is the only path forward.
Synthesis
The judges from both worlds, moved by the genuine friendship, must reconsider their deeply held prejudices. Society begins to shift, allowing Ernest and Celestine to be together.
Transformation
Ernest and Celestine live freely together in Ernest's home, creating art and music. The world has changed, and their friendship has transformed both societies' understanding of what's possible.