Baby Review: A Sharp Portrait of Queer Brazilian Survivors Lost in the System
Capturing the city's relentless energy and dynamic spirit of São Paulo, Marcelo Caetano’s gripping drama centres on those who live on the fringes of an ever-changing metropolis. Newly freed from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (João Pedro Mariano) stands at a pivotal juncture; left behind by his parents, the wide-eyed young man finds solace in the arms of others.
On an night on the town with his boisterous group of LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming friends, Wellington crosses paths with Ronaldo (actor Ricardo Teodoro), a strapping, magnetic hustler more than twice his age. Shrouded in the flickering glow of a adult movie theater, their introductory rendezvous is intimate and charged, with an hint of risk. Ronaldo swiftly initiates Wellington to the underground scene of prostitution and selling drugs.
A Study of Empathy Instead of Exploitation
Caetano depicts Wellington’s new life of crime with tender empathy instead of as a sensationalist cautionary tale. Now using the alias Baby, he engages in his paid liaisons with cocky bravado and poignant gullibility. To his customers, Wellington offers more than his youth and his body, but also moments of care.
In the feverish excitement of São Paulo, overflowing with busy lanes and vibrant storefronts, there’s a gnawing loneliness, as rootless people cling on to one another for momentary bliss.
"The streets are riddled with risk, yet they are where they can forge familial bonds, too."
A Complicated Dynamic of Love and Control
Ronaldo is at once a romantic interest and a protective father figure to Wellington, but their connection is thrown off course by envy and monetary insecurity. Intimidation from nefarious characters in the shadow economy pale in comparison to the fear of government monitoring and incarceration, symbolized by the constant sight of police officers in the area.
Baby is most powerful as an astute portrait of the lost people who have been failed by the established structure. The film functions as a heartfelt examination into resilience, chosen family, and the search for self within a demanding urban landscape.
