Film Analysis

Raising Arizona (1987)

Ordinary World
H.I. Mcdunnough is a criminal. His specialty? Holding up gas stations. H.I. isn't' a very good criminal, and thus spends a lot of time in and out of jail. Each time, he is processed by the beautiful Edwina, a cop whom he falls for. H.I. proposes to Edwina upon exiting prison (for the third or fourth time) and they begin their life together as a married couple.
Call to Adventure
Edwina desperately wants for she and H.I. to have a baby. But, after months of trying, she finally discovers that she is barren, and unable to have children. Shattered, and unable to adopt because of H.I.'s criminal past, she and H.I. all but give up hope on their dream of having a family of their own. Until, that is, they hear of the Arizona Five, the recently-born quintuplets of wealthy furniture store owner Nathan Arizona, and his wife Florence. Hearing on tv that the wealthy couple have 'more than they can handle', Edwina tells H.I. he needs to steal one of the babies from them, to raise as their own.
Refusal of the Call
At first H.I. is reluctant to do as his wife says. He fears he might be caught, and worries that the Arizona couple might miss their baby.
Meeting with the Mentor
H.I. finds a mentor in his wife, whose continued threats and exclamations finally convince him to steal a baby from the wealthy couple.
Crossing the Threshold
H.I. finally crosses the threshold when he sneaks into the Arizona's house, almost getting caught in the process, and, after mixing up the babies by mistake, steals the one he dubs to be 'Nathan Jr.', after the boys father. It takes a huge amount of personal courage and goading from his wife to get him to this point.
Tests, Allies, Enemies
Once the Mcdunnoughs finally get their new baby home, they are beset by obstacles and trials, taking many forms. One form is that of H.I.'s old prison buddies, who, having just escaped from jail, show up at the Mcdunnoughs house asking for shelter. While there they attempt to convince H.I. to come back to a life of crime. They also discover the identity of the Mcdunnoughs new baby, and attempt to steal him from them, to turn him in for the reward money. During this period H.I. faces many internal struggles, questioning everything from his criminal nature to his worth as a husband and a father. He also has a dream, which turns out to be a vision, of a bounty hunter who rides a motorcycle, looking like a beast from hell, who approaches on a trail of fire to destroy H.I. and cash in on the reward for Nathan Jr.
Approach
During this period, H.I. must reconcile with both himself and his wife, as well as rescue Nathan Jr. from his own prison buddies, who have stolen him and are taking him with them on their series of bank robberies.
Ordeal
H.I. faces his nightmare, the hellish bounty hunter, in a battle not only for possession of Nathan Jr., but also for his life, and the life of his wife. H.I. eventually prevails, destroying the monstrous man with one of his own grenades.
The Road Back
H.I. and Edwina journey begin the journey back to their house, but realize slowly that, maybe, their decision to take the child might not have been a good one.
Resurrection/Return with Elixer
The Mcdunnoughs decide to return the child to it's father, and in doing so, find themselves face to face with the man from whom they stole the child in the first place. They expect harsh retribution, but instead find understand and forgiveness. Taken aback, they leave the child in its fathers hands, their faith and love for each other restored.