I Can Only Imagine
Growing up in Greenville, Texas, Bart Millard suffers physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his father, Arthur. When Arthur becomes terminally ill, he finds redemption by embracing his faith and rediscovering his love for his son. Years later, Bart's troubled childhood and mended relationship with his dad inspires him to write the hit song "I Can Only Imagine" as singer of the Christian band MercyMe.
Despite its small-scale budget of $7.0M, I Can Only Imagine became a massive hit, earning $86.1M worldwide—a remarkable 1130% return. The film's distinctive approach attracted moviegoers, confirming that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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%)
I Can Only Imagine (2018) demonstrates strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Andrew Erwin's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 10-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 50 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young Bart Millard lives in fear of his abusive father Arthur, who beats him and berates him after Bart's mother abandons the family. Bart finds solace only in music and his grandmother's faith.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
At 55 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Music manager Brickell brutally tells Bart his songs are generic and lack soul because he won't confront his pain. Bart is devastated—this false defeat raises stakes and forces him to face the truth he's been avoiding about his father., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 82 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Arthur dies before full reconciliation can occur. Bart experiences metaphorical death—the death of the possibility of earthly reconciliation with his father and the death of his bitterness as he finally accepts his father's transformation was real., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 88 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. MercyMe performs "I Can Only Imagine" for industry executives and it becomes a massive hit. Bart proposes to Shannon, the band achieves success, and Bart fully embraces his calling. The finale resolves all threads: art, faith, love, and purpose align., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
I Can Only Imagine's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 10 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping I Can Only Imagine against these established plot points, we can identify how Andrew Erwin utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish I Can Only Imagine within the music genre.
Andrew Erwin's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Andrew Erwin films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. I Can Only Imagine takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Andrew Erwin filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional music films include South Pacific, Journey to Bethlehem and The Fabulous Baker Boys. For more Andrew Erwin analyses, see Moms' Night Out, October Baby.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Bart Millard lives in fear of his abusive father Arthur, who beats him and berates him after Bart's mother abandons the family. Bart finds solace only in music and his grandmother's faith.
Theme
Bart's grandmother tells him "God gave you a gift, and you need to use it," planting the thematic seed about purpose, forgiveness, and redemption through faith and talent.
Worldbuilding
Bart's childhood world is established: an abusive father who destroys his dreams of playing football, a mother who leaves, and a young man who finds refuge in music class and his relationship with Shannon. His father's cruelty defines his world.
Resistance
Bart debates his place in the band and struggles with his calling. He attempts to fill various roles (roadie, merch seller) while the band struggles financially. Lead singer quits, forcing a crisis of purpose and direction.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The band tours, writes songs, and pursues their dream. Bart experiences the promise of the premise—being a Christian rock band frontman. However, his unresolved pain with his father keeps surfacing, blocking his artistic authenticity. His songs lack emotional truth.
Midpoint
Music manager Brickell brutally tells Bart his songs are generic and lack soul because he won't confront his pain. Bart is devastated—this false defeat raises stakes and forces him to face the truth he's been avoiding about his father.
Opposition
Bart returns home to confront his dying father and struggles to forgive him. His father has transformed through faith but Bart cannot trust it. The opposition intensifies internally as Bart battles between bitterness and grace, unable to write authentic music until he resolves this.
Collapse
Arthur dies before full reconciliation can occur. Bart experiences metaphorical death—the death of the possibility of earthly reconciliation with his father and the death of his bitterness as he finally accepts his father's transformation was real.
Crisis
In the dark night following his father's death, Bart processes grief and regret. He sits with Shannon and the weight of lost time, wrestling with forgiveness, redemption, and what his father's transformation meant.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
MercyMe performs "I Can Only Imagine" for industry executives and it becomes a massive hit. Bart proposes to Shannon, the band achieves success, and Bart fully embraces his calling. The finale resolves all threads: art, faith, love, and purpose align.