Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man
Two lone riders and childhood friends, the rough and silent Harley Davidson and the ragged sun-baked cowboy Marlboro, assemble once more when they learn that their favourite hangout and the place where they grew up, the notorious Rock 'n' Roll Bar and Grill is facing imminent foreclosure. For this reason, against the preposterous demands for a new contract, the two lifelong buddies in unflinching determination to win back the bar, they will decide to hold up the corrupt bank's armoured car, unbeknownst to them that its cargo is not money but a new lethal and highly experimental street drug: the Crystal Dream. Now the bank wants it back and they are unstoppable. Is everything lost for Harley and Marlboro, the two well-meaning but amateurish thieves?
The film commercial failure against its respectable budget of $23.0M, earning $7.4M globally (-68% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its bold vision within the action genre.
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%)
Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991) exemplifies deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Simon Wincer's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 38 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Harley Davidson
Marlboro Man
Lulu Daniels
Virginia Slim
Jack Daniels
Alexander
Chance Wilder
Main Cast & Characters
Harley Davidson
Played by Mickey Rourke
A free-spirited biker who fights to save his friend's bar from corporate takeover
Marlboro Man
Played by Don Johnson
A modern cowboy and Harley's best friend who joins him in a desperate heist
Lulu Daniels
Played by Chelsea Field
A tough airport security officer and Harley's love interest
Virginia Slim
Played by Vanessa Williams
A savvy hustler and member of the biker crew
Jack Daniels
Played by Julius Harris
The owner of the Rock 'N' Roll Bar & Grille facing foreclosure
Alexander
Played by Tom Sizemore
A ruthless banker and corporate villain leading the takeover
Chance Wilder
Played by Daniel Baldwin
A sadistic enforcer working for the bank
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Harley Davidson rides his motorcycle through a stylized 1996 Los Angeles, a free-wheeling drifter living on the edges of society. The opening establishes him as a lone wolf biker operating outside conventional rules.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when The bank threatens to seize the Rock 'n' Roll Bar & Grille in 30 days unless the impossible sum of $2.5 million is paid. The safe haven for Harley and his friends faces destruction by corporate greed.. 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Harley and Marlboro make the active choice to commit the armored car robbery, crossing into the criminal world to save their bar. They recruit their crew and commit to the heist, accepting the risk., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False defeat: Harley and Marlboro realize they've stolen from a major criminal organization led by the ruthless Alexander. The stakes escalate dramatically as professional killers begin hunting them. What seemed like a simple robbery becomes a fight for survival., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 73 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The crew is decimated and Jack Daniels, their friend, is killed. Harley is beaten and captured. Marlboro is wounded. The bar owner they tried to save is endangered. Everything has fallen apart and their mission appears to have failed completely., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Harley and Marlboro realize they must finish what they started - not for money, but to protect their remaining friends and take down Alexander. They synthesize their outlaw skills with newfound purpose, choosing to fight not for the bar but for each other and their fallen friends., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man against these established plot points, we can identify how Simon Wincer utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man within the action genre.
Simon Wincer's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Simon Wincer films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Simon Wincer filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Simon Wincer analyses, see The Phantom, Quigley Down Under and Free Willy.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Harley Davidson rides his motorcycle through a stylized 1996 Los Angeles, a free-wheeling drifter living on the edges of society. The opening establishes him as a lone wolf biker operating outside conventional rules.
Theme
At the Rock 'n' Roll Bar & Grille, the old bartender tells Harley that "better is the enemy of good enough" - foreshadowing the conflict between preserving what matters versus chasing something bigger.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Harley's world: his friendship with bar owner and the regulars, reunion with his old partner Marlboro, and the establishment of their outlaw brotherhood code. We learn the beloved neighborhood bar is facing foreclosure by a corrupt banker demanding $2.5 million.
Disruption
The bank threatens to seize the Rock 'n' Roll Bar & Grille in 30 days unless the impossible sum of $2.5 million is paid. The safe haven for Harley and his friends faces destruction by corporate greed.
Resistance
Harley and Marlboro debate options and resist the idea of a dangerous heist. They initially try legitimate approaches, but realize they lack the resources. Gradually, they formulate a plan to rob an armored car they believe carries the bank's cash.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Harley and Marlboro make the active choice to commit the armored car robbery, crossing into the criminal world to save their bar. They recruit their crew and commit to the heist, accepting the risk.
Mirror World
Harley reconnects with Lulu, a woman from his past representing a more grounded life. This relationship subplot introduces the possibility of settling down versus remaining a drifter, carrying the film's theme about what's worth fighting for.
Premise
The "fun and games" of being outlaw bikers executing their heist: assembling the crew, planning the robbery, pulling off the armored car job. However, they discover they've stolen not cash but $2 million in designer drugs, drawing the wrath of a powerful crime syndicate.
Midpoint
False defeat: Harley and Marlboro realize they've stolen from a major criminal organization led by the ruthless Alexander. The stakes escalate dramatically as professional killers begin hunting them. What seemed like a simple robbery becomes a fight for survival.
Opposition
Alexander's assassins systematically hunt down the crew. Friends are killed one by one. Harley and Marlboro attempt to negotiate and fight back, but the enemy closes in. Their flaws - recklessness and loyalty to the wrong people - make things worse.
Collapse
The crew is decimated and Jack Daniels, their friend, is killed. Harley is beaten and captured. Marlboro is wounded. The bar owner they tried to save is endangered. Everything has fallen apart and their mission appears to have failed completely.
Crisis
Harley and Marlboro face their darkest hour, mourning their dead friends and contemplating the cost of their choices. They process the death and destruction their robbery has caused, questioning whether anything can be salvaged.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Harley and Marlboro realize they must finish what they started - not for money, but to protect their remaining friends and take down Alexander. They synthesize their outlaw skills with newfound purpose, choosing to fight not for the bar but for each other and their fallen friends.
Synthesis
The finale: Harley and Marlboro storm Alexander's headquarters for a final confrontation. They use their biker skills and brotherhood bond to fight through the organization, confront Alexander, destroy the drug operation, and exact vengeance for their murdered friends.
Transformation
Harley and Marlboro ride off together, bloodied but alive. Unlike the opening where Harley rode alone, he now rides alongside his brother. They didn't save the bar, but they discovered something more valuable - loyalty and friendship are worth fighting for.