The Big Sleep
Private Investigator Philip Marlowe is hired by wealthy General Sternwood regarding a matter involving his youngest daughter Carmen. Before the complex case is over, Marlowe sees murder, blackmail, deception, and what might be love.
Despite its extremely modest budget of $250K, The Big Sleep became a box office phenomenon, earning $10.7M worldwide—a remarkable 4173% return. The film's compelling narrative found its audience, demonstrating 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%)
The Big Sleep (1946) showcases precise narrative design, characteristic of Howard Hawks's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 54 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Marlowe arrives at the Sternwood mansion, a private detective in his ordinary world, about to take a routine blackmail case.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Marlowe finds Arthur Geiger's body in his house with Carmen drugged and photographed. The simple blackmail case becomes a murder investigation.. 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.
At 57 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Marlowe discovers Harry Jones' connection to Agnes and Eddie Mars. False defeat: he thinks he's getting closer to the truth but is actually being manipulated deeper into danger. Canino is revealed as a deadly threat., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Harry Jones dies from poison while Marlowe hides behind the door, unable to save him. This death of an innocent represents the whiff of death and Marlowe's darkest moment—his investigation has cost lives., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Marlowe uses his detective skills combined with his bond with Vivian to set a trap for Eddie Mars. The final confrontation at the Mars estate where Marlowe forces Eddie outside into his own gunmen's fire. Justice is served, noir-style., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Big Sleep's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Big Sleep against these established plot points, we can identify how Howard Hawks utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Big Sleep within the mystery genre.
Howard Hawks's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Howard Hawks films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Big Sleep takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Howard Hawks filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional mystery films include Oblivion, From Darkness and American Gigolo. For more Howard Hawks analyses, see Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Red River and Man's Favorite Sport?.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Marlowe arrives at the Sternwood mansion, a private detective in his ordinary world, about to take a routine blackmail case.
Theme
General Sternwood tells Marlowe, "You may smoke, too. I can still enjoy the smell of it. Nice state of affairs when a man has to indulge his vices by proxy." Theme: corruption, indulgence through others, moral decay.
Worldbuilding
Marlowe is hired by the dying General Sternwood to handle blackmail over younger daughter Carmen. Meets both daughters: wild Carmen and sophisticated Vivian. Learns of missing Sean Regan. The labyrinthine world of the Sternwood family corruption is established.
Disruption
Marlowe finds Arthur Geiger's body in his house with Carmen drugged and photographed. The simple blackmail case becomes a murder investigation.
Resistance
Marlowe investigates Geiger's death, discovers Owen Taylor's body in the harbor, navigates the rare book racket, and tangles with Eddie Mars. He debates how deep to go into this dangerous case while sparring with Vivian.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Classic noir detective work: Marlowe follows leads through the criminal underworld, trades barbs with Vivian, survives attempts on his life, and peels back layers of the mystery. The promise of hardboiled investigation and sexual tension delivers.
Midpoint
Marlowe discovers Harry Jones' connection to Agnes and Eddie Mars. False defeat: he thinks he's getting closer to the truth but is actually being manipulated deeper into danger. Canino is revealed as a deadly threat.
Opposition
The web tightens: Harry Jones is murdered by Canino while Marlowe listens helplessly. Eddie Mars' true involvement becomes clear. Vivian's loyalty remains ambiguous. Every lead brings more danger as the bad guys close in.
Collapse
Harry Jones dies from poison while Marlowe hides behind the door, unable to save him. This death of an innocent represents the whiff of death and Marlowe's darkest moment—his investigation has cost lives.
Crisis
Marlowe processes Jones' death, realizes the stakes, and grapples with whether anyone can emerge clean from this much corruption. His cynical armor cracks.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Marlowe uses his detective skills combined with his bond with Vivian to set a trap for Eddie Mars. The final confrontation at the Mars estate where Marlowe forces Eddie outside into his own gunmen's fire. Justice is served, noir-style.