Baby Review: An Astute Depiction of LGBTQ+ Brazilian Survivors Lost in the System
Evoking the urban restlessness and pulsating life of São Paulo, director Marcelo Caetano's gripping drama centres on those who exist on the margins of an ever-changing metropolis. Recently released from 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 boisterous group of gay and non-binary friends, Wellington crosses paths with Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a hunky, charismatic hustler over double his age. Bathed in the pulsating light of a neon-lit porn cinema, their initial encounter is physical and passionate, with an hint of risk. Ronaldo quickly introduces Wellington to the underground scene of the sex trade and drug dealing.
A Portrait of Empathy Instead of Exploitation
The director portrays Wellington’s new life of crime with gentle sympathy instead of as a sensationalist cautionary tale. Now adopting the moniker Baby, he approaches his transactional encounters with cocky bravado and endearing innocence. To his patrons, Wellington provides not just his youth and his body, but also moments of care.
In the hectic energy of São Paulo, filled with crowded backstreets and vibrant storefronts, there’s a deep-seated solitude, as adrift individuals hold fast to one another for temporary happiness.
"The city are riddled with risk, yet they are the place where they can discover chosen kin, too."
A Complicated Dynamic of Affection and Power
Ronaldo is simultaneously a partner and a protective father figure to Wellington, but their relationship is derailed by jealousy and financial instability. Intimidation from shady figures in the underworld pale in comparison to the fear of state surveillance and incarceration, symbolized by the looming presence of police officers making their rounds.
Baby is particularly impactful as a perceptive study of the forgotten souls who have slipped through the gaps the established structure. The film ultimately serves as a moving examination into making ends meet, chosen family, and the pursuit of identity within a demanding urban landscape.
