I watched "Baby" way back in January but due to time constraints it's only getting a review now. Gladly, I haven't forgotten a thing
about it, it was pleasantly stuck in my head and it's such a marvelous film that I can't wait to see it again. This is Brazilian cinema at its
greatest, and queer cinema as it greatest as well, and director Marcelo Caetano (from the equally great "Corpo Elétrico") strikes again with
another powerfully memorable story on love and relationships on the gay underworld.
We follow the 18-year-old Wellington (João Pedro Mariano), a boy just released from a juvenile facility after spending some time there
for a crime he committed and he finds himself out and homeless as his family moved out of town without telling him. After jumping the turnstiles
of a porn theater, he meets Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a late 30's bisexual guy, sort of a bouncer of the place who sells drugs and his body to whoever men who wants him,
and he takes the youngster under his care, to his home providing food, shelter and a job opportunity. The latter comes in two forms, first as a
hookup partner where they satisfy the pleasure of male voyeurs who fancy the good looking teen (later nicknamed Baby), and later they sell drugs
on the downtown area of São Paulo, under the obversation of a bossy drug dealer who also has a thing for Wellington. Besides the street dealings, Ronaldo will try to help Baby in finding his mother, and even presents him to his own family of whom they
have a friendly relationship despite no longer being married.
They soon fall in love with each other despite their many differences, as they both realize they need each other. And it's interesting
to notice how the game changes as for who needs the other the most. If at first, Baby depends on basically everything from Ronaldo because he
has nothing and a father figure was most needed for the boy, but it's Ronaldo who ends up emotionally dependent on the boy, not just being partners in bed and in crime, but he feels
better, different with Baby, and it takes a huge toll on their relationship when Baby is approached by a wealthy older guy who's in love with him and
jealousy and possession takes over Ronaldo. Here's two lost souls trying to find a way to improve their lives, living on a tightrope of emotions and
situations, at times being complete with each other but not knowing how to keep this love alive, without succumbing to their problems.
I was really blown away with this movie. Incredible performances from the cast (the newcomer João Pedro Mariano is a phenomenon, just as
Ricardo Teodoro. Their moments together, either the dialogue moments or the sexy bits are something out of this world), the story and its
transitions that despite some sadness and some darkness finds a way to inject moments of humor and plenty of tenderness. It's a cute story
but it's not the typical fare of hyper happy/positive stuff gay films are doing lately but it's cute and lovely (their dance sequence at the top
of a known abandoned building in Bom Retiro is incredibly beautiful); sure, there are some dark
corners as well (when Baby gets taken by the police, that was tense) but it finds its way to escape old cliches from similar themed films.
And ultimately it tells a great story about love, friendship, hope for better things and the unexpected ways of life. "Baby" was of such
magnitude and realism that it truly felt as life being captured and not a film unfolding before your eyes. 10/10.
