Baby Review: A Sharp Depiction of Queer Brazilian Hustlers Lost in the System
Capturing the metropolitan unease and pulsating life of São Paulo, filmmaker Caetano's unflinching drama focuses on those who exist on the margins of an constantly evolving metropolis. Fresh out of juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (João Pedro Mariano) stands at a pivotal juncture; left behind by his parents, the wide-eyed young man seeks comfort in the arms of others.
On an night on the town with his lively group of queer and non-binary friends, Wellington encounters Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a strapping, magnetic hustler over double his age. Shrouded in the wavering neon of a adult movie theater, their introductory rendezvous is sensuous and erotic, with an edge of danger. Ronaldo quickly introduces Wellington to the shadowy world of the sex trade and narcotics trafficking.
A Study of Understanding Rather Than Exploitation
The director portrays Wellington’s new life of crime with tender empathy rather than as a melodramatic morality play. Now going by the name of Baby, he engages in his paid liaisons with brash fearlessness and poignant gullibility. To his customers, Wellington lends not only his youth and his body, but also moments of care.
In the electrifying chaos of São Paulo, overflowing with busy lanes and vibrant storefronts, there’s a persistent isolation, as rootless people grasp at one another for temporary happiness.
"The urban landscape might be filled with danger, yet they are the place where they can forge familial bonds, too."
A Complicated Relationship of Affection and Power
Ronaldo is at once a romantic interest and a guardian-like mentor to Wellington, but their bond is sabotaged by jealousy and financial instability. Dangers posed by dubious individuals in the underworld seem minor next to the dread of state surveillance and imprisonment, represented by the constant sight of police officers in the area.
Baby is particularly impactful as an astute portrait of the disenfranchised individuals who have been failed by the established structure. The film stands as a heartfelt look into making ends meet, chosen family, and the pursuit of self within a unforgiving urban landscape.
