Baby Review: A Sharp Portrait of LGBTQ+ Brazilian Hustlers Adrift in the System
Capturing the city's relentless energy and vibrancy of São Paulo, filmmaker Caetano's gripping drama zooms in on those who inhabit the outskirts 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 impressionable young man discovers refuge in the arms of others.
On an night on the town with his rowdy group of gay and non-binary friends, Wellington meets Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a hunky, charismatic hustler over double his age. Bathed in the pulsating light of a neon-lit porn cinema, their first meeting is intimate and charged, with an hint of risk. Ronaldo quickly introduces Wellington to the clandestine realm of prostitution and selling drugs.
A Study of Understanding Instead of Sensationalism
The film illustrates Wellington’s new life of crime with tender empathy as opposed to as a exploitative warning story. Now going by the name of Baby, he engages in his paid liaisons with brash fearlessness and endearing innocence. To his clients, Wellington lends not only his youth and his body, but also fleeting acts of kindness.
In the electrifying chaos of São Paulo, filled with bustling alleyways and brightly painted facades, there’s a deep-seated solitude, as adrift individuals grasp at one another for temporary happiness.
"The streets might be riddled with risk, yet they are where they can find their own family, too."
A Complicated Dynamic of Affection and Power
Ronaldo is simultaneously a partner and a sheltering paternal presence to Wellington, but their bond is sabotaged by possessiveness and monetary insecurity. Dangers posed by nefarious characters in the underworld pale in comparison to the fear of government monitoring and incarceration, epitomized by the constant sight of police officers making their rounds.
Baby is particularly impactful as a keen observation of the lost people who have fallen through the cracks the established structure. The film ultimately serves as a moving look into making ends meet, non-biological kinship, and the search for purpose within a demanding urban landscape.
