Steal Big Steal Little
Ruben and Robby are twin brothers, adopted by Mona, one of the wealthiest - and most eccentric - women in Santa Barbara. Ruben is devoted to Mona, but Robby is more devoted to her money. So when Mona leaves her fortune and estate to Ruben it starts a battle between brothers that soon leads to madness, mayhem, and even attempted murder. On Ruben's side is Lou Perilli an ex-Chicago cop and used car dealer who knows the law - and how to get around it. On Robby's side is ruthless businessman Reed Tyler, who is out to turn a swift profit on Mona's property. Walking a shifty line between them is Eddie Agopian, the family lawyer, who doesn't care which side wins as long as he's on the winner's side. But whether they're stealing big or stealing little, they're all stealing in this hilarious comedy about greed, power... and brotherly love.
The film financial setback against its mid-range budget of $25.0M, earning $6.3M globally (-75% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unconventional structure within the comedy 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%)
Steal Big Steal Little (1995) reveals precise narrative design, characteristic of Andrew Davis'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 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Ruben Martinez
Robby Martin
Laura Martinez
Lou Perilli
Eddie Agopian
Mona Rowland-Downey
Main Cast & Characters
Ruben Martinez
Played by Andy Garcia
A humble, kind-hearted farmer who inherited his adoptive mother's ranch and strives to honor her wishes by keeping the land for the local community.
Robby Martin
Played by Andy Garcia
Ruben's greedy twin brother, a ruthless real estate developer who schemes to steal the inherited ranch and develop it for profit.
Laura Martinez
Played by Rachel Ticotin
Ruben's loyal and supportive wife who stands by him through the legal battle and helps defend their land and values.
Lou Perilli
Played by Joe Pantoliano
Robby's sleazy lawyer and business partner who assists in the schemes to take over the ranch through legal manipulation.
Eddie Agopian
Played by Alan Arkin
A wise, streetwise friend who helps Ruben navigate the legal system and fight back against his brother's schemes.
Mona Rowland-Downey
Played by Ally Walker
Robby's wealthy, status-conscious wife who supports her husband's materialistic ambitions.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The beautiful California ranch is shown in its pastoral glory, with workers tending the land. Twin brothers Ruben and Robby are introduced through their adoptive mother Mona's eyes, establishing their contrasting natures - Ruben's warmth and Robby's greed.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Mona Martinez dies, leaving her will in question. The ranch and its future suddenly hang in the balance, as Robby immediately begins scheming to contest the inheritance and seize control of the valuable property from Ruben.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Ruben commits to fighting for the ranch and protecting the workers' community. He decides to actively oppose his brother's schemes rather than let the land fall to developers, crossing the point of no return in their sibling rivalry., moving from reaction to action.
At 57 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Ruben appears to have won - legal documents confirm his rightful inheritance of the ranch. It seems like the battle is over and the workers' community is saved. This false victory blinds Ruben to the deeper schemes Robby and Eddie Agopian are still plotting., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 85 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Robby's scheme appears to succeed - through forgery and corruption, he gains legal control of the ranch. The workers face eviction. Ruben is devastated, having lost not just the land but seemingly his brother forever to greed. Lou is hurt in the conflict, adding a whiff of death., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 90 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Ruben discovers evidence of Robby's fraud - the key to exposing the corruption. He realizes he can still win, but more importantly, he understands that saving his brother from his own greed matters as much as saving the ranch. He commits to one final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Steal Big Steal Little's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Steal Big Steal Little against these established plot points, we can identify how Andrew Davis utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Steal Big Steal Little within the comedy genre.
Andrew Davis's Structural Approach
Among the 9 Andrew Davis films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Steal Big Steal Little takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Andrew Davis filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Andrew Davis analyses, see Code of Silence, Chain Reaction and Holes.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The beautiful California ranch is shown in its pastoral glory, with workers tending the land. Twin brothers Ruben and Robby are introduced through their adoptive mother Mona's eyes, establishing their contrasting natures - Ruben's warmth and Robby's greed.
Theme
Mona tells Ruben that the land belongs to the people who work it, not to those who hold the deed. She speaks about how family isn't about blood but about love and commitment - foreshadowing the central conflict between the brothers' opposing values.
Worldbuilding
The ranch life is established with its community of workers who depend on the land. Ruben's relationship with the farmworkers and his estranged wife Laura is shown. Robby's separate life of scheming with corrupt developer Eddie Agopian and his mounting debts are revealed. The brothers' history as adopted twins with opposite temperaments is explored.
Disruption
Mona Martinez dies, leaving her will in question. The ranch and its future suddenly hang in the balance, as Robby immediately begins scheming to contest the inheritance and seize control of the valuable property from Ruben.
Resistance
Ruben learns that Robby is contesting the will with forged documents and crooked lawyers. Lou Perilli, an old friend and ally, advises Ruben on how to fight back. Ruben debates whether to fight for the ranch or walk away from the conflict with his brother. The farmworkers express their fears about losing their homes.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ruben commits to fighting for the ranch and protecting the workers' community. He decides to actively oppose his brother's schemes rather than let the land fall to developers, crossing the point of no return in their sibling rivalry.
Mirror World
Ruben reconnects with his estranged wife Laura, who represents what he's truly fighting for - not just land, but love, family, and community. Their relationship embodies the theme of choosing love and commitment over material gain.
Premise
A comedic cat-and-mouse game ensues between the brothers. Ruben outsmarts Robby's schemes with help from Lou and the loyal farmworkers. Mistaken identity situations arise from their twin status. Ruben strengthens his bond with Laura while working to secure the inheritance legally.
Midpoint
Ruben appears to have won - legal documents confirm his rightful inheritance of the ranch. It seems like the battle is over and the workers' community is saved. This false victory blinds Ruben to the deeper schemes Robby and Eddie Agopian are still plotting.
Opposition
Robby and Eddie Agopian escalate their schemes with increasingly desperate and dangerous tactics. They forge new documents, bribe officials, and attempt to physically intimidate Ruben and the workers. Ruben's marriage to Laura faces strain from the constant conflict. The legal battle becomes more complex and threatening.
Collapse
Robby's scheme appears to succeed - through forgery and corruption, he gains legal control of the ranch. The workers face eviction. Ruben is devastated, having lost not just the land but seemingly his brother forever to greed. Lou is hurt in the conflict, adding a whiff of death.
Crisis
Ruben retreats in despair, questioning whether the fight was worth losing his brother. Laura helps him process the loss and reminds him what truly matters. The workers rally around Ruben despite facing displacement, showing that the community he fought for still exists regardless of the land.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Ruben discovers evidence of Robby's fraud - the key to exposing the corruption. He realizes he can still win, but more importantly, he understands that saving his brother from his own greed matters as much as saving the ranch. He commits to one final confrontation.
Synthesis
Ruben exposes the fraud and corruption, bringing down Eddie Agopian's scheme. The legal battles resolve in Ruben's favor. In a climactic confrontation, Robby must face the consequences of his greed. The community comes together to defend the ranch and its rightful future.
Transformation
The ranch is saved and the workers' community secured. Ruben and Laura are reunited in their marriage. Most importantly, there's hope for reconciliation between the brothers - Ruben extends forgiveness, showing that family bonds can survive even betrayal. The land is shown thriving, now truly belonging to those who love it.