The Tao of Steve (2000)

In his college days Dex (Donal Logue) was a slim, cool, smooth-talking ladies' man. A decade later he's an overweight, underachieving kindergarten teacher, but he's honed his pick-up technique into a way of life--a mix of zen, tough-guy cool, and college philosophy he and his buddies call "the Tao of Steve," named after the manly triad of Steve Austin (a.k.a. the Six Million Dollar Man), Steve McGarrett (Jack Lord's unflappable cop on Hawaii Five-0), and the king of all Steves: Steve McQueen. Santa Fe is populated with his one-night stands, but then he runs into Syd (Greer Goodman), a smart, sexy old classmate with an arsenal of sharp retorts, at a college reunion.

This American indie take on the slacker lothario falls into the old familiar story: eternally adolescent man meets grown-up woman and is forced to face up to a life in which he has never taken an emotional risk or a life-changing plunge. Logue's easy charm and low-key confidence makes Dex an easy guy to like, and director Jenniphr Goodman (who cowrote the script with Greer, her sister and star of the film) invests his lifestyle of leisure (mostly guys chatting about girls and trading pop culture references) with an offhanded naturalness. But neither is she oblivious to the holding pattern his life has taken. Sure, there's an inevitability to this shaggy romance, but there's an undeniable pleasure in seeing the change in the landscape of a familiar road. --Sean Axmaker Amazon.com

A 'Sleeper' Hit Movie I wound up buying

If it weren't for the Mystery Method, I would not have heard of this film. Mystery mentions it in his book.

Dex, a likable, overweight, smart slacker, develops a way with women. He calls it the TAO of Steve, modeled after Steve McQueen, Steve McGarrett, and Steve Austin, three men who never tried to get the girl, but always did. In addition, Dex preaches 1) Eliminate the Desire 2) Do Something Worthy In Her Presence 3) Be Gone. This TAO works well until he meets his match, Syd, one of his conquests in college. The problem is, he really likes her.

This is what good story telling is all about. As many times as I watch this, I'm still entertained. It's funny, smart, and well acted.

If you need 90 minutes or so to pass, this film will do it and make you smile. November 11, 2008

Must see for any guy

This movie is unheard of which is a shame. Everyone knows the guy that refuses to grow up...in this case it is Steve. This movie to appreciate requires two viewings, after which time you will fall in love with the movie and tell everyone you know about this unheard gem. This would make a good double feature with the Big Lobowski, which has a similar philosophical outlook on life. As a guy movie I get it 5 stars however if you intend to make this a date night movie be prepared to end up watching alone. September 12, 2008

romantic and quirky

This movie is what I consider "one of my friends", one I watch or have playing in the background often. It is quirky and romantic. It is just the type of movie graduates of St. John's College would make, you'll have to look into that college to see what I mean. One of its two campuses is in Santa Fe, NM. The landscape of Santa Fe is a character in the movie, it is beautiful. Much of the movie has the characters outdoors and you feel like you are there. March 16, 2008

Funny!

This movie is about 'Steves', a 30-something overweight ladie's man who can talk any woman into having relations with him by using "The Dao of Steve." Unfortunately, the Dao isn't working for the only woman that steve really wants.

The Dao of Steve is a fun movie with characters that one can relate to.

January 22, 2008

Steve of Tao...

Classic slacker film with a lovable anti-hero... the still drinkin' still smokin' college n'er do well who refuses to grow up... thus not becoming a totally lame robot, but also avoiding his own personal growth and emotional development at all costs... throw in a love interest and it's all bound to come 'round sooner or later... A nice, feel good film, which rolls by pleasantly enough, has a bit of humour, and a touch of deep philosophy. I liked it... To Cook is Divine, Italian, Filipino, and Southern-style Vegetarian Recipes from Outside the Box November 18, 2007

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