Baby Review: A Sharp Portrait of Queer Brazilian Hustlers Lost in the System
Channelling the city's relentless energy and pulsating life of São Paulo, Marcelo Caetano’s bracing drama zooms in on those who live on the fringes of an constantly evolving metropolis. Newly freed from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (João Pedro Mariano) stands at a pivotal juncture; abandoned by his parents, the wide-eyed young man finds solace in the arms of others.
On an evening out with his lively group of LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming friends, Wellington meets Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a hunky, charismatic hustler significantly older than his age. Illuminated by the pulsating light of a neon-lit porn cinema, their introductory rendezvous is physical and passionate, with an hint of risk. Ronaldo promptly ushers Wellington to the clandestine realm of prostitution and selling drugs.
A Portrait of Empathy Instead of Sensationalism
The director portrays Wellington’s new life of crime with gentle sympathy instead of as a melodramatic morality play. Now adopting the moniker Baby, he engages in his paid liaisons with cocky bravado and touching naivety. To his clients, Wellington lends not only his youth and his body, but also instances of tenderness.
In the hectic energy of São Paulo, teeming with busy lanes and brightly painted facades, there’s a gnawing loneliness, as unmoored souls cling on to one another for fleeting joy.
"The urban landscape are fraught with peril, yet they are also the space where they can find their own family, too."
A Complicated Relationship of Affection and Power
Ronaldo is both a lover and a guardian-like mentor to Wellington, but their relationship is derailed by jealousy and economic precarity. Threats from shady figures in the criminal underworld pale in comparison to the anxiety about state surveillance and incarceration, represented by the constant sight of police officers making their rounds.
Baby is especially potent as a perceptive study of the disenfranchised individuals who have fallen through the cracks the system. The film functions as a poignant exploration into survival, chosen family, and the pursuit of purpose within a demanding urban landscape.
