Arthur 2: On the Rocks
In this sequel to the 1981 hit movie, Arthur manages to lose his entire $750 million fortune. Will the former millionaire playboy be able to survive as a broke, unemployable alcoholic? To add to Arthur's problems, wife Linda's biological clock is ticking louder than ever, and she's pressuring him to start taking responsibility for himself.
The film earned $14.7M at the global box office.
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%)
Arthur 2: On the Rocks (1988) exhibits meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Bud Yorkin's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 53 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.8, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Arthur Bach
Linda Marolla Bach
Burt Johnson
Susan Johnson
Fairchild
Mrs. Canby
Main Cast & Characters
Arthur Bach
Played by Dudley Moore
A lovable alcoholic millionaire who must prove he can stay sober and earn money to keep his wife and inheritance.
Linda Marolla Bach
Played by Liza Minnelli
Arthur's working-class wife who stands by him as he loses his fortune and battles alcoholism.
Burt Johnson
Played by Stephen Elliott
A ruthless businessman who seeks revenge on Arthur by destroying his fortune and trying to win Linda back.
Susan Johnson
Played by Cynthia Sikes
Burt's daughter and Arthur's former fiancée who helps her father in his scheme against Arthur.
Fairchild
Played by John Gielgud
Arthur's loyal and wise butler who appears in visions to guide Arthur after his death.
Mrs. Canby
Played by Geraldine Fitzgerald
The new housekeeper who attempts to fill Hobson's shoes but cannot match his wisdom.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Arthur and Linda are happily married, attending a formal charity event where Arthur's sobriety and loving relationship are on full display. He's found contentment in his new life.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Burt Johnson, whose daughter Susan was jilted by Arthur in the first film, arrives with devastating news: he's bought out Arthur's company and will strip him of his entire fortune unless Arthur divorces Linda and marries Susan.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Arthur and Linda are evicted from their mansion and must move into a tiny apartment in Queens. Arthur actively chooses to face this new world of poverty rather than abandon Linda, fully committing to life without his fortune., moving from reaction to action.
At 55 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False defeat: Linda discovers she's pregnant, which should be joyful news, but Arthur realizes he can't provide for a family. The stakes intensify - it's no longer just about him and Linda, but about their unborn child's future., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 83 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Arthur's alcoholism spirals out of control. In his lowest moment, drunk and broken, he nearly loses Linda as she questions whether he can be the man their child needs. Arthur has metaphorically "died" - his sobriety, dignity, and marriage are all at risk., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 89 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Arthur achieves clarity: he realizes that his worth as a man isn't defined by his bank account but by his character and his love for Linda. He gets sober again and discovers a way to outsmart Burt Johnson using wit instead of wealth., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Arthur 2: On the Rocks'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 Arthur 2: On the Rocks against these established plot points, we can identify how Bud Yorkin utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Arthur 2: On the Rocks 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
Arthur and Linda are happily married, attending a formal charity event where Arthur's sobriety and loving relationship are on full display. He's found contentment in his new life.
Theme
Hobson's ghost appears to Arthur, suggesting that true wealth isn't money but the people who love you and the person you've become. The theme: what defines a person's worth?
Worldbuilding
Establishes Arthur's transformed life: sober, married to Linda, still wealthy, but haunted by visits from his dead butler Hobson. We see their attempts to have a baby and Arthur's continued philanthropy.
Disruption
Burt Johnson, whose daughter Susan was jilted by Arthur in the first film, arrives with devastating news: he's bought out Arthur's company and will strip him of his entire fortune unless Arthur divorces Linda and marries Susan.
Resistance
Arthur refuses the ultimatum and loses everything. He and Linda debate how to survive without money. Arthur struggles with his identity stripped of wealth, while Linda tries to be supportive. They attempt to find work and adjust to poverty.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Arthur and Linda are evicted from their mansion and must move into a tiny apartment in Queens. Arthur actively chooses to face this new world of poverty rather than abandon Linda, fully committing to life without his fortune.
Mirror World
Linda emerges as the thematic mirror - she has always lived without wealth and shows Arthur that love, dignity, and purpose aren't derived from money. She becomes his teacher in this new world.
Premise
The "fun and games" of Arthur being poor: fish-out-of-water comedy as the former millionaire tries manual labor, deals with a tiny apartment, rides the subway, and struggles with ordinary life while maintaining his dignity and love for Linda.
Midpoint
False defeat: Linda discovers she's pregnant, which should be joyful news, but Arthur realizes he can't provide for a family. The stakes intensify - it's no longer just about him and Linda, but about their unborn child's future.
Opposition
The pressure mounts: Arthur can't hold a job, bills pile up, Linda's pregnancy needs medical care they can't afford. Burt Johnson continues to tempt Arthur with wealth if he'll leave Linda. Arthur's self-worth crumbles and he begins drinking again.
Collapse
Arthur's alcoholism spirals out of control. In his lowest moment, drunk and broken, he nearly loses Linda as she questions whether he can be the man their child needs. Arthur has metaphorically "died" - his sobriety, dignity, and marriage are all at risk.
Crisis
Arthur's dark night: alone, drunk, and confronted by Hobson's ghost who tells him he's squandering the real gift - not money, but love and the chance to be a good man. Arthur must process whether he has the strength to be who Linda and his child need.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Arthur achieves clarity: he realizes that his worth as a man isn't defined by his bank account but by his character and his love for Linda. He gets sober again and discovers a way to outsmart Burt Johnson using wit instead of wealth.
Synthesis
The finale: Arthur executes a plan to expose Burt Johnson's illegal business dealings and reclaim his fortune. But more importantly, he proves to Linda and himself that he can be the man he needs to be - sober, resourceful, and loving - with or without money.
Transformation
Arthur and Linda, now with their fortune restored, welcome their new baby. But the final image shows Arthur has transformed: he's sober, grounded, and understands that his family - not his money - is his true wealth. He's become the man Hobson always hoped he'd be.