Taurus, 2022.
Written and Directed by Tim Sutton.
Starring Colson Baker, Maddie Hasson, Megan Fox, Demetrius ‘Lil Meech’ Flenory, Lil Tjay, Ruby Rose, Scoot McNairy, Naomi Wild, Siri Miller, Sara Silva, Zaria, Luis Da Silva Jr., Angela Landis, Paul Bartholomew, Angela Fornero, Avery Tiiu Essex, Ron G., David Abed, T.K. Weaver, Joe Dioletto, and Steven Herrera.
SYNOPSIS:
A rising but troubled musician searches for the inspiration to record one last song, pushing himself deep into the void.
Taurus is written and directed by Tim Sutton, who has previously worked with the film’s musician-turned-actor Colson Baker, a.k.a. Machine Gun Kelly, but this is the rare case where the filmmaker behind the project feels far less crucial than usual to the shape of the story and material on display. That’s not to take away from Tim Sutton’s effort and craftsmanship; the characterization of the fictional musician at the center of the narrative, Cole Taurus, is played with haunting authenticity by Colson Baker (even the small difference in the first name implies that character and reality might not be that far off).
It’s not just the performance that elevates what is admittedly a rather familiar story about the suffering inflicted by fame when dealing with several addictions and a lifetime of trauma, not to mention a seemingly terrible breakup (His ex-partner is played by Colson Baker’s real-life partner Megan Fox in a cameo) while struggling to be a positive parental role model. Colson Baker also provides the soundtrack for Taurus, which is filled with eerie melodies capturing emptiness and internal pain, and original songs both baked into the story’s themes and moving pieces in their own right (Naomi Wild plays Lena, collaborating on a song and looking to build up her own career as a recording artist).
Beyond that, Taurus utilizes a moody atmosphere while moving through Cole’s life. He is struggling with drugs, neglecting his daughter when he gets a chance to see her, disrespecting polite pizza delivery fans asking for a selfie, driving a rift between some musical partners due to his complete lack of humbleness, sending his label executive up a wall with all these antics, lashing out at his assistant Ilana (Maddie Hasson), and hitting up X-rated joints with his enabling junkie friend Bub (Ruby Rose).
There’s also a justifiable apprehension of wanting to watch a movie like this in the first place. Still, the filmmakers never fall into the trap of justifying Cole’s behavior, while Colson Baker, somehow, finds the sympathetic beats. On the verge of releasing another album, the rising star is a chaotic nightmare to deal with, but within the lyrics of his songs and behavior (alongside unspoken conversations) is the sensation that he has been dealt horrible cards in life, he does care about the people he pushes away, and that superstardom (which comes with random strangers on the Internet using everything about your life against you in addition to the usual generic trolling insults) is not something everyone is equipped to deal with.
One of many instances this sees Cole blowing a fuse comes when he realizes the interview he is about to partake in has been scheduled to take place on camera. First, he flips out at Ilana, who temporarily quits her job but immediately comes back, somewhat drawn to looking after the sad sack and aware that if she doesn’t, something terrible might happen. The film then cuts to them in the makeup and wardrobe area, where Cole confesses he doesn’t like aspects of his hair which routinely block his eyes as if admitting he doesn’t like the person he sees in the mirror to such a degree that he would rather not be able to see his own reflection. Then the interview occurs, making for a brilliant sequence that’s impossible to tell where reality and fiction begin and end.
Tragedy is also present in unexpected ways, in a shocking prologue that could have drastically gone wrong if not dealt with properly and sensitively when it once again comes up in the narratives. There’s a reveal about the event that also comes as a surprise and illuminates the weight and price of fame. The ending is a bit too neat, but it is fitting. Much of Taurus could benefit from digging deeper into the supporting characters and further fleshing out the relationships with Cole.
Overall, Colson Baker demonstrates dynamic range and raw acting talent, saving this from vanity project torture. It’s only a matter of time before he gets a major role and impresses audiences on a larger cinematic scale.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd, or email me at MetalGearSolid719@gmail.com
