Raising Arizona
Recidivist hold-up man H.I. McDonnough and police woman Edwina marry, only to discover they are unable to conceive a child. Desperate for a baby, the pair decide to kidnap one of the quintuplets of furniture tycoon Nathan Arizona. The McDonnoughs try to keep their crime secret, while friends, co-workers and a feral bounty hunter look to use Nathan Jr. for their own purposes.
Despite its limited budget of $6.0M, Raising Arizona became a commercial success, earning $29.2M worldwide—a 386% return. The film's unique voice attracted moviegoers, proving 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%)
Raising Arizona (1987) reveals precise plot construction, characteristic of Joel Coen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 34 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 H.I. McDunnough narrates his life as a repeat offender, being booked and photographed by policewoman Ed, establishing his cyclical pattern of crime and incarceration in a lonely, directionless existence.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Ed breaks down in tears when the adoption agency rejects them due to H.I.'s criminal record, shattering their dream of having a family and threatening the foundation of their new life together.. 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 shows the protagonist's commitment to H.I. Actively chooses to kidnap Nathan Jr., one of the Arizona quintuplets, breaking into the home and taking the baby despite chaos, barking dogs, and close calls, committing to a criminal act for love and family., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Leonard Smalls, the demonic bounty hunter biker, is hired by Nathan Arizona to find the baby. Simultaneously, H.I.'s escaped convict friends Gale and Evelle arrive, raising the stakes as multiple threats converge and the false paradise begins to crumble., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Gale and Evelle steal Nathan Jr. During the chaos. Ed discovers the baby is gone and confronts H.I.'s failure to protect their stolen family. Their dream dies as Ed leaves H.I., taking her wedding ring off, and H.I. Hits rock bottom completely alone., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 75 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. H.I. And Ed reunite to recover Nathan Jr. From Gale and Evelle, fight off Leonard Smalls in an apocalyptic confrontation where H.I. Overcomes his demonic shadow self, and return the baby to Nathan Arizona, who forgives them and offers wisdom about parenthood., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Raising Arizona's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Raising Arizona against these established plot points, we can identify how Joel Coen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Raising Arizona within the comedy genre.
Joel Coen's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Joel Coen films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Raising Arizona exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Joel Coen filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Joel Coen analyses, see The Tragedy of Macbeth, Intolerable Cruelty and Miller's Crossing.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
H.I. McDunnough narrates his life as a repeat offender, being booked and photographed by policewoman Ed, establishing his cyclical pattern of crime and incarceration in a lonely, directionless existence.
Theme
Ed tells H.I. during a visit that "you're young, you got your health, what you want with a job?" - establishing the theme of finding purpose and family beyond conventional success, foreshadowing their unconventional path to redemption.
Worldbuilding
H.I. and Ed's courtship through prison visits, her refusal after he returns to crime, his final release and proposal, their marriage, and the devastating discovery that Ed is infertile and they cannot adopt due to H.I.'s record.
Disruption
Ed breaks down in tears when the adoption agency rejects them due to H.I.'s criminal record, shattering their dream of having a family and threatening the foundation of their new life together.
Resistance
H.I. and Ed debate their options after the adoption rejection, leading to the discovery that furniture magnate Nathan Arizona has quintuplets. They wrestle with the morality of taking one of the babies, with Ed ultimately persuading H.I. to act.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
H.I. actively chooses to kidnap Nathan Jr., one of the Arizona quintuplets, breaking into the home and taking the baby despite chaos, barking dogs, and close calls, committing to a criminal act for love and family.
Premise
The fun and games of playing house with a stolen baby: H.I. and Ed navigate parenthood, deal with unwanted visitors (Glen and Dot), face H.I.'s temptation to rob a convenience store, and attempt to maintain their secret while living the family life they've always wanted.
Midpoint
Leonard Smalls, the demonic bounty hunter biker, is hired by Nathan Arizona to find the baby. Simultaneously, H.I.'s escaped convict friends Gale and Evelle arrive, raising the stakes as multiple threats converge and the false paradise begins to crumble.
Opposition
Pressure mounts from all sides: Gale and Evelle impose on the household, Glen threatens to report them, Leonard Smalls closes in, and H.I.'s recurring nightmare of the biker reveals his guilt. The couple's relationship deteriorates under the weight of their crime and lies.
Collapse
Gale and Evelle steal Nathan Jr. during the chaos. Ed discovers the baby is gone and confronts H.I.'s failure to protect their stolen family. Their dream dies as Ed leaves H.I., taking her wedding ring off, and H.I. hits rock bottom completely alone.
Crisis
H.I. spirals in despair and guilt, facing the consequences of his actions. He contemplates his failures as a husband and father figure, processing the loss of both Ed and the baby while recognizing his moral bankruptcy.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
H.I. and Ed reunite to recover Nathan Jr. from Gale and Evelle, fight off Leonard Smalls in an apocalyptic confrontation where H.I. overcomes his demonic shadow self, and return the baby to Nathan Arizona, who forgives them and offers wisdom about parenthood.