The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
Superstar magicians Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) have ruled the Las Vegas Strip for years, raking in millions with illusions as big as Burt's growing ego. But lately the duo's greatest deception is their public friendship, while secretly they've grown to loathe each other. Facing cutthroat competition from guerrilla street magician Steve Gray (Jim Carrey), whose cult following surges with each outrageous stunt, even their show is starting to look stale. But there's still a chance Burt and Anton can save the act - both onstage and off - if only Burt can get back in touch with what made him love magic in the first place.
The film disappointed at the box office against its mid-range budget of $30.0M, earning $27.4M globally (-9% loss).
1 win & 4 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%)
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013) showcases carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Don Scardino's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 40 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 Young Burt is bullied at school, lonely and friendless. He receives a magic kit from Rance Holloway for his birthday, showing his initial isolation before magic enters his life.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Steve Gray, a dangerous street magician, arrives in Vegas with his shock-value act. His extreme stunts (sleeping on hot coals, holding urine) threaten the old-school magic that Burt and Anton represent.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Attempting a dangerous stunt to compete with Steve Gray (the "Hot Box" trick), Burt accidentally injures Anton badly. Anton quits the partnership, their act is canceled, and Burt loses everything. He actively chose the dangerous path that destroyed his career., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Burt performs simple magic for the nursing home residents and sees their genuine joy and wonder. He reconnects with the pure pleasure of making people happy through magic. False victory: he thinks he's found himself, but hasn't yet reconciled with Anton or proved himself., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Rance Holloway dies. Burt loses his mentor and the man who represented the pure heart of magic. This "death" moment forces Burt to carry forward Rance's legacy himself and fully internalize the lesson about wonder., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 80 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Burt and Anton discover Rance's plans for an impossible trick: making someone disappear and reappear far away. They realize they can actually do it using their old partnership chemistry combined with their renewed sense of wonder. They commit to the competition., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone'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 The Incredible Burt Wonderstone against these established plot points, we can identify how Don Scardino utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Incredible Burt Wonderstone within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Burt is bullied at school, lonely and friendless. He receives a magic kit from Rance Holloway for his birthday, showing his initial isolation before magic enters his life.
Theme
Rance Holloway on the magic kit video tells young Burt that magic is about wonder and bringing joy to people. This states the film's theme: magic isn't about ego or fame, but about creating wonder.
Worldbuilding
Establishes adult Burt and Anton's successful but stale Vegas act at Bally's. They're famous but arrogant, phoning it in, treating staff poorly. Their partnership is strained, and Burt has become the bully he once escaped from.
Disruption
Steve Gray, a dangerous street magician, arrives in Vegas with his shock-value act. His extreme stunts (sleeping on hot coals, holding urine) threaten the old-school magic that Burt and Anton represent.
Resistance
Burt and Anton debate how to respond to Gray's rising popularity. Their act is losing audience. They resist changing, arguing about what to do. Burt meets Jane but treats her dismissively. Tension builds between the partners.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Attempting a dangerous stunt to compete with Steve Gray (the "Hot Box" trick), Burt accidentally injures Anton badly. Anton quits the partnership, their act is canceled, and Burt loses everything. He actively chose the dangerous path that destroyed his career.
Mirror World
Burt encounters his childhood hero Rance Holloway working at a nursing home, doing magic for elderly patients. Rance represents what Burt has forgotten: magic as service and genuine wonder, not ego.
Premise
Burt hits rock bottom: broke, living in a cheap motel, working at a party supply store. He reconnects with Jane and begins helping Rance at the nursing home. He starts relearning basic magic and rediscovering why he loved it as a child.
Midpoint
Burt performs simple magic for the nursing home residents and sees their genuine joy and wonder. He reconnects with the pure pleasure of making people happy through magic. False victory: he thinks he's found himself, but hasn't yet reconciled with Anton or proved himself.
Opposition
Casino owner Doug Munny announces a competition for a new headliner act. Steve Gray is the favorite. Burt must reunite with Anton and create a new act, but Anton is resistant. Jane helps bring them together. They struggle to develop something new while Gray remains dominant.
Collapse
Rance Holloway dies. Burt loses his mentor and the man who represented the pure heart of magic. This "death" moment forces Burt to carry forward Rance's legacy himself and fully internalize the lesson about wonder.
Crisis
Burt grieves Rance and nearly gives up on the competition. He and Anton process the loss and what Rance meant to them. They find Rance's old trick plans and are inspired to honor him by doing magic the right way.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Burt and Anton discover Rance's plans for an impossible trick: making someone disappear and reappear far away. They realize they can actually do it using their old partnership chemistry combined with their renewed sense of wonder. They commit to the competition.
Synthesis
Burt and Anton prepare and execute the grand trick at the competition. They make someone disappear from the casino and reappear at Rance's old magic show location. The trick works, combining technical skill with genuine heart. They beat Steve Gray and win back their careers.
Transformation
Burt and Anton perform their new show with joy and humility, treating their assistants (including Jane) with respect. Burt has transformed from an arrogant, hollow performer into someone who understands that magic is about creating wonder for others, not feeding his own ego.