Loving Vincent
A young man arrives at the last hometown of painter Vincent van Gogh to deliver the troubled artist's final letter and ends up investigating his final days there.
Despite its modest budget of $5.5M, Loving Vincent became a runaway success, earning $42.2M worldwide—a remarkable 667% return. The film's distinctive approach engaged audiences, 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%)
Loving Vincent (2017) showcases precise narrative design, characteristic of DK Welchman's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 35 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Opening with Van Gogh's painted starry night, we see Armand Roulin in a bar fight in Arles, France, 1891. He is directionless, angry, and dismissive of Vincent van Gogh's memory despite his father's friendship with the artist.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Joseph insists Armand deliver the letter personally, revealing that Vincent's death was suspicious - he shot himself but lived for two days, yet no gun was ever found. This mystery disrupts Armand's simple errand.. At 11% 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Armand chooses to travel to Auvers-sur-Oise to find Dr. Gachet, Vincent's physician, and investigate what really happened. He transforms from reluctant messenger to active investigator seeking truth about Vincent's death., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Dr. Gachet refuses to see Armand and denies having Vincent's belongings. Marguerite Gachet reveals she was close to Vincent and hints at a rift with her father. The investigation deepens as Armand discovers Dr. Gachet may have played a role in Vincent's despair - a false defeat., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 70 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Armand confronts the terrible possibility that Vincent was murdered or that society's cruelty drove him to death. The boatman describes Vincent's final days of profound loneliness. Armand feels the weight of Vincent's suffering - a man who gave everything to art and received only rejection., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Dr. Gachet finally meets with Armand and reveals the letter's contents and Vincent's final state of mind. Armand realizes that whether murder or suicide, Vincent chose to protect others from blame. The truth is not about how Vincent died, but how he lived., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Loving Vincent'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 Loving Vincent against these established plot points, we can identify how DK Welchman utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Loving Vincent 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
Opening with Van Gogh's painted starry night, we see Armand Roulin in a bar fight in Arles, France, 1891. He is directionless, angry, and dismissive of Vincent van Gogh's memory despite his father's friendship with the artist.
Theme
Postman Joseph Roulin tells Armand about Vincent: "He was a good man, troubled, but good." This establishes the central question - can we truly understand another person's life and death, especially someone who struggled with mental illness?
Worldbuilding
Joseph Roulin tasks his reluctant son Armand with delivering Vincent's final letter to his brother Theo. We learn Vincent died six weeks ago from a gunshot wound. Armand is skeptical and uninterested, seeing Vincent as just a troubled madman.
Disruption
Joseph insists Armand deliver the letter personally, revealing that Vincent's death was suspicious - he shot himself but lived for two days, yet no gun was ever found. This mystery disrupts Armand's simple errand.
Resistance
Armand travels to Paris but discovers Theo van Gogh has also died. He debates abandoning the task but is directed to Auvers-sur-Oise where Vincent spent his final days. Color dealer Père Tanguy shares memories of Vincent and gives Armand guidance.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Armand chooses to travel to Auvers-sur-Oise to find Dr. Gachet, Vincent's physician, and investigate what really happened. He transforms from reluctant messenger to active investigator seeking truth about Vincent's death.
Mirror World
Armand meets Adeline Ravoux at the inn where Vincent stayed. She speaks warmly of Vincent, describing his kindness and dedication to his art. Through her eyes, Armand begins to see Vincent as a real person rather than a madman.
Premise
Armand interviews various Auvers residents who knew Vincent: the Ravoux family, the boatman, Louise the maid. Each reveals different facets of Vincent's character and conflicting theories about his death. The painted animation style immerses us in Vincent's world.
Midpoint
Dr. Gachet refuses to see Armand and denies having Vincent's belongings. Marguerite Gachet reveals she was close to Vincent and hints at a rift with her father. The investigation deepens as Armand discovers Dr. Gachet may have played a role in Vincent's despair - a false defeat.
Opposition
Armand uncovers troubling details: René Secrétan, a local bully, had a gun and tormented Vincent. Dr. Mazery reveals the gunshot wound was inconsistent with suicide. Each witness offers conflicting accounts, and Armand faces resistance from those protecting secrets.
Collapse
Armand confronts the terrible possibility that Vincent was murdered or that society's cruelty drove him to death. The boatman describes Vincent's final days of profound loneliness. Armand feels the weight of Vincent's suffering - a man who gave everything to art and received only rejection.
Crisis
Armand processes what he's learned. In black-and-white flashbacks, we see Vincent's final confrontation with Dr. Gachet, his isolation, and his decision to stop being a burden to Theo. Armand grapples with the tragedy of a brilliant life cut short.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Dr. Gachet finally meets with Armand and reveals the letter's contents and Vincent's final state of mind. Armand realizes that whether murder or suicide, Vincent chose to protect others from blame. The truth is not about how Vincent died, but how he lived.
Synthesis
Armand writes to his father, sharing his journey and transformation. He describes Vincent's impact on all who knew him. Dr. Gachet keeps the letter as a memorial. Armand has become a witness to Vincent's legacy, carrying forward understanding rather than judgment.
Transformation
Final image of Starry Night as Armand concludes his letter with Vincent's own words about death leading to the stars. The cynical young man has transformed into someone who understands that a troubled life can still be meaningful. Vincent's art and spirit live on.