Magic in the Moonlight
Set in the 1920s French Riviera, a master magician is commissioned to try and expose a psychic as a fraud.
Despite a mid-range budget of $16.8M, Magic in the Moonlight became a box office success, earning $51.0M worldwide—a 204% 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%)
Magic in the Moonlight (2014) reveals carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Woody Allen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 38 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Stanley Crawford performs as Wei Ling Soo, the master illusionist, commanding the stage with absolute certainty and arrogance. His world is built on rationalism, control, and the superiority of reason over mysticism.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Stanley arrives at the lavish French Riviera estate and first encounters Sophie Baker conducting a séance. Her apparent abilities immediately challenge his certainty, creating the first crack in his worldview.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Stanley chooses to fully engage with Sophie, spending time with her to discover her methods. He commits to the investigation, entering her world rather than dismissing her from afar., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Sophie confesses she's a fraud—she's been a con artist all along. Stanley's brief experience of magic, wonder, and love dies. His worldview is validated but his heart is broken., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 79 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Stanley pursues Sophie, breaking his engagement and abandoning pure rationalism. He executes his plan to win her back, accepting that life's beauty lies not in certainty but in embracing wonder despite knowing the truth., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Magic in the Moonlight's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Magic in the Moonlight against these established plot points, we can identify how Woody Allen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Magic in the Moonlight within the comedy genre.
Woody Allen's Structural Approach
Among the 42 Woody Allen films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Magic in the Moonlight takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Woody Allen filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Woody Allen analyses, see Sleeper, Celebrity and Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex *But Were Afraid to Ask.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Stanley Crawford performs as Wei Ling Soo, the master illusionist, commanding the stage with absolute certainty and arrogance. His world is built on rationalism, control, and the superiority of reason over mysticism.
Theme
Howard suggests that maybe life would be more beautiful if there were something beyond rational explanation, hinting at the central question: is a rational life without magic worth living?
Worldbuilding
Stanley's world of absolute rationalism is established: his successful career, his contempt for spiritualists, his troubled personal life, and his friendship with Howard who invites him to the Riviera to expose Sophie Baker.
Disruption
Stanley arrives at the lavish French Riviera estate and first encounters Sophie Baker conducting a séance. Her apparent abilities immediately challenge his certainty, creating the first crack in his worldview.
Resistance
Stanley observes Sophie, searching for the trick while she demonstrates increasingly convincing psychic abilities. He resists believing, yet cannot explain her knowledge. His aunt Vanessa warns him to keep an open mind.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Stanley chooses to fully engage with Sophie, spending time with her to discover her methods. He commits to the investigation, entering her world rather than dismissing her from afar.
Premise
The promise of the premise: Stanley investigates Sophie while falling under her spell, both her apparent psychic abilities and her personal charm. He experiences wonder, possibility, and romance despite his resistance.
Opposition
Stanley's newfound openness creates complications: he's engaged to another woman, Sophie seems interested in Brice, and Stanley's certainty about Sophie's authenticity is questioned by his own moments of doubt.
Collapse
Sophie confesses she's a fraud—she's been a con artist all along. Stanley's brief experience of magic, wonder, and love dies. His worldview is validated but his heart is broken.
Crisis
Stanley processes the devastating truth: he was right about everything (there is no magic) but wrong about what matters (love and wonder have value even if irrational). He faces emptiness.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Stanley pursues Sophie, breaking his engagement and abandoning pure rationalism. He executes his plan to win her back, accepting that life's beauty lies not in certainty but in embracing wonder despite knowing the truth.