The Film Baby Review: A Sharp Depiction of Queer Brazilian Hustlers Adrift in the System
Evoking the urban restlessness and pulsating life of São Paulo, Marcelo Caetano’s bracing drama focuses on those who live on the fringes of an ever-changing metropolis. Newly freed from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (João Pedro Mariano) stands at a pivotal juncture; abandoned by his parents, the innocent young man discovers refuge in the arms of others.
On an late-night excursion with his lively group of queer and non-binary friends, Wellington crosses paths with Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a muscular, charming hustler over double his age. Bathed in the wavering neon of a adult movie theater, their first meeting is sensuous and erotic, with an hint of risk. Ronaldo swiftly initiates Wellington to the shadowy world of the sex trade and drug dealing.
A Portrait of Understanding Rather Than Exploitation
The film illustrates Wellington’s new life of crime with gentle sympathy rather than as a melodramatic morality play. Now adopting the moniker Baby, he engages in his paid liaisons with cocky bravado and endearing innocence. To his patrons, Wellington lends not only his youth and his body, but also instances of tenderness.
In the hectic energy of São Paulo, overflowing with busy lanes and colourful shopfronts, there’s a gnawing loneliness, as rootless people hold fast to one another for temporary happiness.
"The city might be riddled with risk, yet they are where they can discover chosen kin, too."
A Complex Relationship of Affection and Power
Ronaldo is at once a romantic interest and a protective father figure to Wellington, but their bond is sabotaged by jealousy and economic precarity. Dangers posed by nefarious characters in the criminal underworld seem minor next to the fear of government monitoring and jail time, represented by the looming presence of police officers making their rounds.
Baby is especially potent as a perceptive study of the forgotten souls who have been failed by the established structure. The film stands as a poignant examination into making ends meet, found community, and the search for identity within a demanding urban landscape.
