BABY. aka the one time I actually enjoyed an Italian drama
This is the very first review I’m making for something I’ve whatched. I’m not sure i’ll be doing more, but this one show actually moved me to write one.
What is Baby?
Baby is a Netflix original series produced by under 25 from Rome, Italy. It tells the story of two teenage girls from Parioli, Rome’s wealthy neighborhood.
The story is actually based on a true scandal that happened in 2014, where the police found out about a case of prostitution involving a pimp and two high school girls from Parioli. They became known as the “Baby squillo dei parioli”
The producers actually interviewed the two girls before making this series, trying to understand the story behind the scandal. I can’t assure you the show will follow the scandal perfectly, but keep in mind that the voices of the girls were heard.
CONS OF BABY
Now I don’t usually like italian series and don’t watch them much. Keep in mind if you’re going to watch this that the series has some flaws.
The pacing can be slow, the actors are all very young and most are at their first experience, so the acting can sometimes be a little stiff, especially the first couple episodes.
BUT
It was made by under 25.. and it shows. While the acting itself could improve, the dialogues, are perfect.
Now let me tell you this. I was born and raised in parioli, Rome. I went to private school in Rome. And what made me love this show? It’s accurate. Maybe people from outside won’t understand, beacause they haven’t lived here. But the way they speak, the way they act, the way they show the young boys and girls and their families from this neighborhood, it’s all true to form. At least to me, this is not just an interesting story, it’s an accurate representation of ‘la roma dei parioli’. The kids you see in this show? I’ve know kids in my school just like them. Their families? I’ve known families exactly like that.
I especially suggest watching this show in italian with subtitles, because their accents and way of speaking is also very important to the characterization.
WHY WATCH IT IF YOU’RE NOT ITALIAN
I’ve lived in America as an exchange student, and I can’t list all the stereotypes and inaccurate things I’ve heard about italy and italians there. Mostly because it refers to an italy of over 50 years ago, when lots of people were still migrating to the US.
But if by chance, you’re curious as to what italy might actually be like, the good and the bad, the beyond the stereotype, this paints a pretty accurate picture. At least of Rome and Parioli.
I never really liked italian acting much, because it always felt very faked to me. This is the one show where the dialogues felt real. Like i could swear I’ve heard the same exact phrases all my life.
I’m just gonna put this out there, and sorry for the long poem. The series is interesting despite having a slow pacing at times. The soundtrack is pretty good (good mix of italian songs and foreign).
