Baby Review: An Astute Depiction of LGBTQ+ Brazilian Hustlers Adrift in the Established Order
Capturing the city's relentless energy and dynamic spirit of São Paulo, filmmaker Caetano's gripping drama focuses on those who exist on the margins of an perpetually shifting metropolis. Newly freed from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (the actor João Pedro Mariano) stands at a pivotal juncture; left behind by his parents, the innocent young man discovers refuge in the arms of others.
On an night on the town with his boisterous group of gay and non-binary friends, Wellington crosses paths with Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a muscular, charming hustler over double his age. Bathed in the pulsating light of a XXX cinema, their introductory rendezvous is sensuous and erotic, with an tinge of peril. Ronaldo quickly introduces Wellington to the clandestine realm of sex work and drug dealing.
A Portrait of Understanding Rather Than Sensationalism
Caetano depicts Wellington’s new life of crime with gentle sympathy instead of as a exploitative warning story. Now going by the name of Baby, he engages in his paid liaisons with cocky bravado and touching naivety. To his customers, Wellington lends not only his youth and his body, but also moments of care.
In the electrifying chaos of São Paulo, teeming with bustling alleyways and vibrant storefronts, there’s a gnawing loneliness, as adrift individuals cling on to one another for fleeting joy.
"The urban landscape are fraught with peril, yet they are 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 envy and financial instability. Intimidation from nefarious characters in the criminal underworld are overshadowed by the dread of government monitoring and jail time, epitomized by the constant sight of police officers in the area.
Baby is especially potent as a perceptive study of the disenfranchised individuals who have fallen through the cracks the established structure. The film ultimately serves as a poignant look into survival, chosen family, and the search for self within a demanding urban landscape.
