Baby

****

Reviewed by: Scott Macdonald

Baby
"Make no mistake, this is an immensely creepy picture."

A heavily medicated woman (Arta Dobroshi) - who lives with her mother - goes for a trip somewhere in London. In a failed attempt to stop a mugging, one of the young hoodlums (Daniel Kaluuya) takes an interest in her, and follows her across the city to her home. Against the better judgment of everyone watching the film, she invites him inside.

Baby has been directed with skill, building up our interest with clear handheld location photography - and the editing is slow and methodical. It builds up tension with care, with long takes of the characters deep in thought, and our vantage points are carefully chosen for maximum discomfort. Make no mistake, this is an immensely creepy picture. The physical intimacy has such a strange and unusual feel. The woman clinically undresses and repeats in a stony voice - "Don't look at me like that."

The performances are very good - Daniel Kaluuya as the hustler, who shows a more tender side. At first view, it seems there are two scenes missing, but careful examination of the finale leads us down a different (and shocking) path. A disarming and effective picture.

Reviewed on: 23 Jun 2010
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A young woman invites in a stranger who has followed her home.
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Director: Daniel Mulloy

Starring: Arta Dobroshi, Daniel Kaluuya

Year: 2010

Runtime: 25 minutes

Country: UK

Festivals:

EIFF 2010

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