🔗 Share this article The Film Baby Review: A Sharp Portrait of LGBTQ+ Brazilian Hustlers Adrift in the Established Order Channelling the city's relentless energy and dynamic spirit of São Paulo, Marcelo Caetano’s gripping drama zooms in on those who inhabit the outskirts of an perpetually shifting metropolis. Recently released from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (João Pedro Mariano) stands at a pivotal juncture; left behind by his parents, the innocent young man finds solace in the arms of others. On an late-night excursion with his rowdy group of queer and non-binary friends, Wellington encounters Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a hunky, charismatic hustler over double his age. Shrouded in the flickering glow of a neon-lit porn cinema, their initial encounter is sensuous and erotic, with an edge of danger. Ronaldo quickly introduces Wellington to the underground scene of sex work and selling drugs. A Portrait of Understanding Rather Than Sensationalism 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 engages in his paid liaisons with brash fearlessness 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, filled with busy lanes and vibrant storefronts, there’s a deep-seated solitude, as rootless people grasp at one another for fleeting joy. "The streets can be filled with danger, 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 guardian-like mentor to Wellington, but their relationship is derailed by possessiveness and monetary insecurity. Intimidation from shady figures in the underworld pale in comparison to the fear of government monitoring and jail time, represented by the looming presence of police officers making their rounds. Baby is most powerful as a perceptive study of the disenfranchised individuals who have fallen through the cracks the system. The film ultimately serves as a heartfelt examination into resilience, found community, and the pursuit of self within a harsh urban landscape.