Baby Review: A Sharp Portrait of LGBTQ+ Brazilian Hustlers Adrift in the System

Channelling the urban restlessness and vibrancy of São Paulo, director Marcelo Caetano's unflinching drama focuses on those who inhabit the outskirts of an constantly evolving metropolis. Fresh out of juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (the actor João Pedro Mariano) finds himself at a crossroads; left behind by his parents, the innocent young man finds solace in the arms of others.

On an evening out with his rowdy group of LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming friends, Wellington meets Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a muscular, charming hustler more than twice his age. Illuminated by the flickering glow of a XXX cinema, their initial encounter is sensuous and erotic, with an edge of danger. Ronaldo promptly ushers Wellington to the clandestine realm of sex work and drug dealing.

A Portrait of Understanding Rather Than Exploitation

The director portrays Wellington’s new life of crime with gentle sympathy as opposed to as a sensationalist cautionary tale. Now using the alias Baby, he approaches his transactional encounters with cocky bravado and touching naivety. To his patrons, Wellington provides not just his youth and his body, but also instances of tenderness.

In the hectic energy of São Paulo, overflowing with busy lanes and colourful shopfronts, there’s a deep-seated solitude, as unmoored souls cling on to one another for fleeting joy.

"The city can be riddled with risk, yet they are also the space where they can find their own family, too."

A Complex Dynamic of Affection and Power

Ronaldo is simultaneously a partner and a sheltering paternal presence to Wellington, but their bond is sabotaged by jealousy and financial instability. Intimidation from dubious individuals in the underworld pale in comparison to the fear of institutional observation and incarceration, symbolized by the constant sight of police officers making their rounds.

Baby is especially potent as a perceptive study of the lost people who have been failed by the established structure. The film stands as a poignant examination into resilience, chosen family, and the search for identity within a demanding urban landscape.