Robin Harris

(On TV, October 2022) There’s something fascinating about Bebe’s Kids that comes across even when the animated film itself isn’t particularly good. Adapted from a stand-up routine from Robin Harris, it describes how a man’s first date with a woman turns awry when she comes accompanied by not only her son (a rather well-behaved boy), but also her friend’s three unruly kids. The day-long visit to the zoo turns chaotic, then apocalyptic as the kids run through the place causing mischief. What makes the film special is that it’s clearly, undeniably from American black culture—I could feel the cultural references wooshing over my head as the film got into pointed observations about black dating expectations and the experience of navigating such a fraught situation. The rough animation style, while clearly hampered by a low-budget, is surprisingly expressive as it follows a narrative constantly on the edge of a tall tale. The dialogue is an extension of a stand-up act, meaning that it too can feel very stylized even in addressing mundane moments. The late-film sentimental turn isn’t surprising nor subtle, but it does give a bit of heart to a film that could have run a bit too close to meaningless comedy. While I’m not overly invested in Bebe’s Kids, it remains a rather rare example of a black-driven feature film animation from an earlier generation, and there’s not denying the power of that.