Beanie Mania
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Beanie Mania
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Beanie Mania is a documentary, directed by Yemisi Brooks, about the Beanie Babie craze of the 1990s, the subesequent rise and fall of their value, and the effect on collectors. The film provides some interesting lessons in economics. Some of the subjects act in selfish and immoral ways without much consequence. There is an emphasis on living lavish lifestyles with big houses and fancy cars, but people also speak about the dangers of shopping addiction as well as the financial consequences of spending frivolously and going into credit card debt. A home invasion and a delivery truck driver being robbed and attacked with a sledge hammer are discussed but not shown. 9/11 is briefly mentioned as is someone coming close to having a nervous breakdown.
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What's the Story?
BEANIE MANIA is the true story of a group of affluent moms in a Chicago suburb who start collecting Beanie Babies in the early 1990s and end up creating one of America's most infamous toy crazes. Along the way, the women compete to find ways to make big money from the fad, sometimes in unethical ways. The company behind Beanie Babies, Ty, also grows rapdily, making its founder extremelly wealthy. Along the way he takes advantage of people and even sues the women that helped his company take off for copyright infringement. Along with the stories of success are others of counterfitting, tax fraud, shopping addiction, credit card debt, and many unrealized dreams of striking it rich.
Is It Any Good?
Despite the narrow perspective of many of its subjects, this documentary still tells a fascinating tale of how a small group of collectors ended up causing a national frenzy during the height of American consumerism. The women at the center of Beanie Mania are clearly insulated in their bubble of privilege. One reports that she started collecting because "it was a quiet time in the world where people were happy" (the L.A. riots happened the year before). Nevertheless, once the group sparks the Beanie Baby craze, they each show ingenuity in capitalizing on it in a variety of ways. The film is a great introduction to market economics and entrepreneurship, while also touching on the dark side of rampant greed and consumerism. Parents who watch it with their tweens and teens will find a lot of life lessons to discuss. Just be aware that some people are treated unfairly (especially those of color) and those who act immorally or irresponsibly don't always face consequences for their actions.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the difference between a documentary and other movies. How are they alike and how are they different? Why are documentaries important?
Think about the value we place on things. Is something worth more to you just because someone else wants it? How happy do things really make us in comparison to people and experiences?
Children this age may still have some difficulty learning social lessons from stories. Comment positively on the behaviors that you like and consider asking what they think is the take-away.
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: December 23, 2021
- Director: Yemisi Brookes
- Studio: HBO Max
- Genre: Documentary
- Run time: 80 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
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