If... Dog... Rabbit (1999) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A former convict's attempt to start over collapses under family betrayal, criminal entanglements, and a final robbery.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Release Shadowed by the Past

Johnnie leaves prison and takes a gas-station job, hoping to begin again. Family contact exposes the old robbery and Sean's betrayal.

Key Events

• Johnnie Leaves Prison — After release for good behavior, Johnnie takes a gas-station job to start over. Characters: Johnnie Cooper, Parole Officer Gilmore Location: Prison
• Gilmore Contacts Sean — Gilmore tells Sean that Johnnie has been released and suspects Sean's past involvement in the robbery. Characters: Parole Officer Gilmore, Sean Cooper Location: Unspecified
• Family Invites Johnnie Home — Jamie and Judy invite Johnnie to a family barbecue, and his boss encourages him to go. Characters: Johnnie Cooper, Jamie Cooper, Judy Location: Johnnie's home and workplace
• The Old Heist Revealed — The story reveals that the three Cooper men were involved in the robbery that imprisoned Johnnie. Characters: Johnnie Cooper, Jamie Cooper, Sean Cooper Location: Unspecified

A Fatal Flight

A bar confrontation ends with Johnnie accidentally killing a dealer. Jamie then attacks Gilmore, forcing the brothers to flee while Judy stays behind.

Key Events

• Sean Left Johnnie Behind — After a confrontation, Johnnie learns Sean abandoned him to the police during their last heist. Characters: Johnnie Cooper, Sean Cooper Location: Unspecified
• Bar Fight Turns Deadly — Johnnie intervenes when Jamie fights drug dealers and accidentally kills one of them. Characters: Johnnie Cooper, Jamie Cooper, Judy Location: Bar
• Jamie Attacks Gilmore — Jamie knocks Gilmore unconscious while fearing arrest; Johnnie takes Gilmore to the hospital. Characters: Johnnie Cooper, Jamie Cooper, Parole Officer Gilmore Location: Johnnie's workplace
• Brothers Flee to Tijuana — Johnnie goes on the run with Jamie and tells Judy to stay behind. Characters: Johnnie Cooper, Jamie Cooper Location: Tijuana

Hiding in Tijuana

The brothers hide in Tijuana and become involved in a plan to rob a bullring. Judy discovers Gilmore survived and tries to warn them, but the dealers abduct her.

Key Events

• Brothers Flee to Tijuana — Johnnie goes on the run with Jamie and tells Judy to stay behind. Characters: Johnnie Cooper, Jamie Cooper Location: Tijuana
• Judy Warns the Brothers — Judy tries to tell the brothers that Gilmore survived, while Gilmore searches for them and questions her. Characters: Johnnie Cooper, Jamie Cooper, Judy, Parole Officer Gilmore Location: Tijuana
• Judy Is Abducted — Drug dealers recognize Johnnie and kidnap Judy after seeing her at the tortilla factory. Characters: Johnnie Cooper, Judy Location: Tijuana
• Bullring Heist Planned — Johnnie and Jamie plan a bullring robbery with Cesar; Sean and the factory owner discover the scheme and want to join. Characters: Johnnie Cooper, Jamie Cooper, Sean Cooper Location: Tijuana

The Robbery Turns to Violence

Johnnie hesitates after learning Gilmore survived, but Sean persuades him to proceed. Judy escapes her captors as the dealers move to stop Jamie.

Key Events

• Sean Persuades Johnnie — After learning Gilmore survived, Johnnie wants out, but Sean persuades him to continue with the robbery. Characters: Johnnie Cooper, Sean Cooper Location: Tijuana
• Judy Escapes Captors — After torture reveals the heist plan, Judy escapes and tries to reach Jamie before the dealers do. Characters: Judy, Jamie Cooper Location: Unspecified

Abandoned at the Shore

The bullring robbery erupts into a shootout that kills Jamie and Judy. Sean escapes by speedboat, leaving Johnnie to be arrested, before the film closes on a childhood flashback.

Key Events

• Bullring Shootout — The dealers arrive as Johnnie and Cesar rob the cashiers; guards join the gunfight, killing Jamie and Judy. Characters: Johnnie Cooper, Jamie Cooper, Judy Location: Bullring
• Sean Escapes by Boat — Sean sees police pursuing Johnnie and escapes by speedboat, leaving Johnnie to be arrested. Characters: Johnnie Cooper, Sean Cooper Location: Beach
• Childhood Theft Lesson — A flashback shows young Johnnie explaining the art of theft to Jamie. Characters: Johnnie Cooper, Jamie Cooper Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Johnnie's Release — Johnnie leaves prison and tries to establish a lawful routine.
  • Fresh Start — Johnnie takes a gas-station job after release.
  • Parole Notice — Gilmore informs Sean that Johnnie has been released.
• Family and Betrayal — The brothers reconnect, and the family's criminal past comes back into view.
  • Barbecue Invitation — Jamie and Judy invite Johnnie home.
  • Sean's Abandonment — Johnnie learns Sean left him to face the police during an earlier heist.
• Violence and Flight — A fatal encounter and Jamie's attack on Gilmore force the brothers to run.
  • Bar Killing — Johnnie accidentally kills a dealer while intervening in Jamie's fight.
  • Gilmore Attacked — Jamie knocks Gilmore unconscious, and Johnnie takes him to the hospital.
• Tijuana Hideout — The brothers hide in Tijuana while danger and a new robbery plan gather around them.
  • Judy's Warning — Judy tries to tell the brothers that Gilmore survived.
  • Bullring Scheme — Johnnie, Jamie, and Cesar plan a robbery at the bullring.
• Judy in Danger — The dealers target Judy and use her knowledge of the planned robbery.
  • Abduction and Torture — The dealers kidnap Judy and force her to reveal the plan.
  • Escape Attempt — Judy escapes and rushes toward the bullring to reach Jamie.
• Bullring Shootout — The planned robbery becomes a deadly confrontation involving the dealers and guards.
  • Cashier Robbery — Johnnie and Cesar rob the bullring cashiers while Jamie prepares the getaway car.
  • Deaths in the Gunfight — The shootout kills Jamie, Judy, Cesar, and some of the dealers.
• Sean's Final Escape — Sean repeats his earlier betrayal when the police pursue Johnnie.
  • Speedboat Escape — Sean escapes from the beach by speedboat.
  • Johnnie Arrested — Sean leaves Johnnie behind as the police close in.
• Childhood Echo — The closing flashback returns to the brothers' early connection to theft.
  • The Theft Lesson — Young Johnnie explains the art of theft to Jamie.
  • A Framed Past — The final memory echoes the criminal history that shaped the brothers' story.

Directed by

Matthew Modine

Key Cast

• Matthew Modine — Johnnie Cooper
• John Hurt — Sean Cooper
• Lisa Marie — Judy
• Bruce Dern — McGurdy
• David Keith — Parole Officer Gilmore