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, Marcelo Caetano’s unflinching drama centres on those who inhabit the outskirts of an constantly evolving metropolis. Recently released from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (João Pedro Mariano) finds himself at a crossroads; deserted by his parents, the impressionable young man discovers refuge in the arms of others.
On an evening out with his rowdy group of gay and non-binary friends, Wellington meets Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a hunky, charismatic hustler more than twice his age. Illuminated by the flickering glow of a neon-lit porn cinema, their introductory rendezvous is sensuous and erotic, with an edge of danger. Ronaldo swiftly initiates Wellington to the shadowy world of the sex trade and selling drugs.
A Study of Understanding Rather Than Sensationalism
Caetano depicts Wellington’s new life of crime with gentle sympathy rather than as a exploitative warning story. Now going by the name of Baby, he enters his commercial trysts with cocky bravado and poignant gullibility. To his patrons, Wellington provides not just his youth and his body, but also moments of care.
In the feverish excitement of São Paulo, filled with busy lanes and brightly painted facades, there’s a deep-seated solitude, as rootless people grasp at one another for temporary happiness.
"The city are riddled with risk, yet they are also the space where they can find their own family, too."
A Complicated Relationship of Love and Control
Ronaldo is at once a romantic interest and a protective father figure to Wellington, but their relationship is derailed by jealousy and financial instability. Intimidation from dubious individuals in the shadow economy seem minor next to the dread of state surveillance and jail time, represented by the looming presence of police officers in the area.
Baby is most powerful as a keen observation of the forgotten souls who have slipped through the gaps the system. The film stands as a moving exploration into resilience, found community, and the quest for self within a demanding urban landscape.
