Baby Review: An Astute Depiction of Queer Brazilian Hustlers Lost in the Established Order
Capturing the metropolitan unease and vibrancy of São Paulo, Marcelo Caetano’s gripping drama focuses on those who exist on the margins of an perpetually shifting metropolis. Fresh out of juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (the actor 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 boisterous group of LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming friends, Wellington encounters Ronaldo (actor Ricardo Teodoro), a strapping, magnetic hustler more than twice his age. Illuminated by the flickering glow of a XXX cinema, their initial encounter is sensuous and erotic, with an hint of risk. Ronaldo quickly introduces Wellington to the underground scene of prostitution and drug dealing.
A Study of Understanding Instead of Exploitation
The film illustrates Wellington’s new life of crime with compassionate understanding as opposed to as a melodramatic morality play. Now using the alias Baby, he enters his commercial trysts with cocky bravado and endearing innocence. To his patrons, 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 colourful shopfronts, there’s a gnawing loneliness, as unmoored souls cling on to one another for momentary bliss.
"The urban landscape can be fraught with peril, yet they are the place where they can forge familial bonds, too."
A Complicated Relationship of Love and Control
Ronaldo is at once a romantic interest and a protective father figure to Wellington, but their bond is sabotaged by jealousy and financial instability. Dangers posed by nefarious characters in the shadow economy are overshadowed by the dread of state surveillance and incarceration, symbolized by the constant sight of police officers in the area.
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 resilience, found community, and the search for self within a harsh urban landscape.
