The Film Baby Review: An Astute Portrait of Queer Brazilian Survivors Lost in the System
Evoking the urban restlessness and dynamic spirit of São Paulo, Marcelo Caetano’s unflinching drama focuses on those who inhabit the outskirts of an ever-changing metropolis. Fresh out of juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (the actor João Pedro Mariano) stands at a pivotal juncture; deserted by his parents, the impressionable young man discovers refuge in the arms of others.
On an late-night excursion with his lively group of gay and non-binary friends, Wellington crosses paths with Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a muscular, charming hustler significantly older than his age. Bathed in the pulsating light of a adult movie theater, their initial encounter is physical and passionate, with an edge of danger. Ronaldo swiftly initiates Wellington to the underground scene of sex work and drug dealing.
A Portrait of Understanding Rather Than Sensationalism
Caetano depicts Wellington’s new life of crime with compassionate understanding rather than as a sensationalist cautionary tale. Now going by the name of Baby, he approaches his transactional encounters with swaggering confidence and poignant gullibility. To his clients, Wellington lends not only his youth and his body, but also moments of care.
In the feverish excitement of São Paulo, teeming with busy lanes and colourful shopfronts, there’s a persistent isolation, as rootless people grasp at one another for temporary happiness.
"The urban landscape can be riddled with risk, yet they are where they can find their own family, too."
A Complicated Dynamic of Love and Control
Ronaldo is at once a romantic interest and a sheltering paternal presence to Wellington, but their bond is sabotaged by jealousy and monetary insecurity. Intimidation from nefarious characters in the underworld seem minor next to the fear of government monitoring and jail time, symbolized by the looming presence of police officers on patrol.
Baby is particularly impactful as an astute portrait of the lost people who have slipped through the gaps the established structure. The film stands as a moving exploration into resilience, non-biological kinship, and the quest for purpose within a unforgiving urban landscape.
