Baby Review: An Astute Depiction of LGBTQ+ Brazilian Hustlers Lost in the System
Channelling the city's relentless energy and pulsating life of São Paulo, director Marcelo Caetano's gripping drama focuses on those who exist on the margins of an ever-changing metropolis. Newly freed from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (João Pedro Mariano) finds himself at a crossroads; deserted by his parents, the wide-eyed young man discovers refuge in the arms of others.
On an night on the town with his rowdy group of LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming friends, Wellington crosses paths with Ronaldo (actor Ricardo Teodoro), a hunky, charismatic hustler more than twice his age. Illuminated by the pulsating light of a adult movie theater, their initial encounter is sensuous and erotic, with an edge of danger. Ronaldo swiftly initiates Wellington to the clandestine realm of prostitution and narcotics trafficking.
A Portrait of Empathy Rather Than Sensationalism
The film illustrates Wellington’s new life of crime with gentle sympathy instead of as a exploitative warning story. Now adopting the moniker Baby, he engages in his paid liaisons with swaggering confidence and touching naivety. To his clients, Wellington offers more than his youth and his body, but also instances of tenderness.
In the hectic energy of São Paulo, teeming with crowded backstreets and colourful shopfronts, there’s a persistent isolation, as rootless people cling on to one another for momentary bliss.
"The streets can be filled with danger, yet they are the place where they can discover chosen kin, too."
A Complex Dynamic of Love and Control
Ronaldo is both a lover and a sheltering paternal presence to Wellington, but their bond is sabotaged by possessiveness and monetary insecurity. Threats from shady figures in the underworld pale in comparison to the fear of institutional observation and incarceration, represented by the constant sight of police officers in the area.
Baby is most powerful as a keen observation of the forgotten souls who have fallen through the cracks the established structure. The film stands as a heartfelt examination into resilience, chosen family, and the quest for purpose within a demanding urban landscape.
