The Film Baby Review: A Sharp Depiction of Queer Brazilian Survivors Lost in the System
Channelling the city's relentless energy and pulsating life of São Paulo, director Marcelo Caetano's gripping drama focuses on those who live on the fringes of an constantly evolving metropolis. Fresh out of juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (the actor João Pedro Mariano) stands at a pivotal juncture; deserted by his parents, the innocent young man seeks comfort in the arms of others.
On an evening out with his lively group of LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming friends, Wellington crosses paths with Ronaldo (actor Ricardo Teodoro), a hunky, charismatic hustler more than twice his age. Shrouded in the pulsating light of a XXX cinema, their first meeting is physical and passionate, with an hint of risk. Ronaldo quickly introduces Wellington to the shadowy world of sex work and selling drugs.
A Portrait of Empathy Instead of Sensationalism
Caetano depicts Wellington’s new life of crime with gentle sympathy as opposed to as a sensationalist cautionary tale. Now using the alias Baby, he approaches his transactional encounters with swaggering confidence and poignant gullibility. To his patrons, Wellington lends not only his youth and his body, but also fleeting acts of kindness.
In the feverish excitement of São Paulo, filled with crowded backstreets and brightly painted facades, there’s a persistent isolation, as rootless people hold fast to one another for temporary happiness.
"The city can be fraught with peril, yet they are also the space where they can forge familial bonds, too."
A Complex Dynamic of Affection and Power
Ronaldo is simultaneously a partner and a guardian-like mentor to Wellington, but their relationship is derailed by jealousy and financial instability. Threats from shady figures in the criminal underworld seem minor next to the anxiety about government monitoring and incarceration, epitomized by the looming presence of police officers in the area.
Baby is particularly impactful as a perceptive study of the lost people who have been failed by the system. The film stands as a heartfelt exploration into resilience, chosen family, and the search for identity within a harsh urban landscape.
