Baby Review: An Astute Portrait of Queer Brazilian Hustlers Adrift in the Established Order
Evoking the metropolitan unease and pulsating life of São Paulo, filmmaker Caetano's bracing drama centres on those who inhabit the outskirts of an constantly evolving metropolis. Fresh out of juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (João Pedro Mariano) faces a critical turning point; abandoned by his parents, the innocent young man finds solace in the arms of others.
On an evening out with his lively group of gay and non-binary friends, Wellington crosses paths with Ronaldo (actor Ricardo Teodoro), a muscular, charming hustler more than twice his age. Illuminated by the pulsating light of a neon-lit porn cinema, their initial encounter is sensuous and erotic, with an hint of risk. Ronaldo promptly ushers Wellington to the clandestine realm of sex work and selling drugs.
A Study of Understanding Instead of Sensationalism
The director portrays Wellington’s new life of crime with tender empathy as opposed to as a melodramatic morality play. Now going by the name of Baby, he approaches his transactional encounters with brash fearlessness and poignant gullibility. To his clients, Wellington lends not only his youth and his body, but also instances of tenderness.
In the feverish excitement of São Paulo, overflowing with busy lanes and vibrant storefronts, there’s a persistent isolation, as adrift individuals cling on to one another for fleeting joy.
"The urban landscape are fraught with peril, yet they are the place where they can discover chosen kin, too."
A Complex Relationship of Affection and Power
Ronaldo is simultaneously a partner and a sheltering paternal presence to Wellington, but their bond is sabotaged by envy and monetary insecurity. Intimidation from nefarious characters in the underworld are overshadowed by the dread of state surveillance and imprisonment, symbolized by the hovering figures of police officers on patrol.
Baby is particularly impactful as an astute portrait of the lost people who have fallen through the cracks the established structure. The film stands as a poignant exploration into survival, found community, and the pursuit of self within a harsh urban landscape.
