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

Capturing the city's relentless energy and dynamic spirit of São Paulo, filmmaker Caetano's bracing drama centres on those who inhabit the outskirts of an ever-changing metropolis. Newly freed from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (João Pedro Mariano) finds himself at a crossroads; abandoned 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 queer and non-binary friends, Wellington crosses paths with Ronaldo (actor Ricardo Teodoro), a muscular, charming hustler more than twice his age. Bathed in the flickering glow of a XXX cinema, their initial encounter is physical and passionate, with an hint of risk. Ronaldo swiftly initiates Wellington to the clandestine realm of prostitution and drug dealing.

A Study of Empathy Instead of Exploitation

Caetano depicts Wellington’s new life of crime with gentle sympathy as opposed to as a melodramatic morality play. Now going by the name of Baby, he engages in his paid liaisons with cocky bravado and touching naivety. To his customers, Wellington lends not only his youth and his body, but also moments of care.

In the feverish excitement of São Paulo, teeming with bustling alleyways and colourful shopfronts, there’s a persistent isolation, as unmoored souls cling on to one another for temporary happiness.

"The urban landscape can be filled with danger, yet they are the place where they can find their own family, too."

A Complex Dynamic of Affection and Power

Ronaldo is at once a romantic interest and a sheltering paternal presence to Wellington, but their bond is sabotaged by possessiveness and financial instability. Intimidation from dubious individuals in the shadow economy seem minor next to the dread of institutional observation and imprisonment, represented by the constant sight of police officers in the area.

Baby is particularly impactful as a perceptive study of the disenfranchised individuals who have been failed by the established structure. The film ultimately serves as a poignant examination into survival, found community, and the search for identity within a demanding urban landscape.