The Film Baby Review: An Astute Depiction of LGBTQ+ Brazilian Hustlers Adrift in the System

Evoking the urban restlessness and dynamic spirit of São Paulo, filmmaker Caetano's bracing 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) faces a critical turning point; left behind by his parents, the wide-eyed young man seeks comfort in the arms of others.

On an late-night excursion with his lively group of gay and non-binary friends, Wellington meets Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a hunky, charismatic hustler more than twice his age. Shrouded in the pulsating light 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 narcotics trafficking.

A Portrait of Understanding Instead of Sensationalism

Caetano depicts Wellington’s new life of crime with gentle sympathy instead of as a sensationalist cautionary tale. Now going by the name of Baby, he approaches his transactional encounters with cocky bravado and endearing innocence. 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 brightly painted facades, there’s a persistent isolation, as rootless people cling on to one another for fleeting joy.

"The urban landscape can be fraught with peril, yet they are also the space where they can forge familial bonds, too."

A Complex Relationship of Love and Control

Ronaldo is simultaneously a partner and a protective father figure to Wellington, but their connection is thrown off course by jealousy and monetary insecurity. Dangers posed by shady figures in the shadow economy pale in comparison to the anxiety about state surveillance and imprisonment, epitomized by the hovering figures of police officers in the area.

Baby is most powerful as a perceptive study of the forgotten souls who have fallen through the cracks the established structure. The film stands as a poignant look into survival, chosen family, and the search for purpose within a harsh urban landscape.