Have you ever seen an overweight, underachieving guy with a thin, beautiful woman on his arm and wondered, “What’s she doing with him?” The Tao of Steve might just answer that question for you. It also might make you question your first impressions of both the man and the woman as well.
Dex (Donal Logue) is an overweight, underachieving kindergarten teacher who uses a unique blend of philosophy and psychology to pick up women. We see the “success” he has in his application of this approach to the opposite sex in the film’s opening sequence. At his 10 year high school reunion, Dex manages to have sex with a married woman in the library and put the moves on a college age barmaid, who later turns up in his bed.
Dex explains his theories to roommate Dave (Kimo Wills) as being “the Tao of Steve.” Why Steve? Because everyone who was cool was named Steve: Steve McQueen, Steve McGarrett and Steve Austin (the bionic man, not the WWF wrestler). They were cool and they were all named Steve. If you’re not cool, you’re a Stu.
Dex’s lifestyle hits a serious snag when he meets Syd (Greer Goodman), an attractive girl who seems to think they’ve met before. Dex begins to fall in love with Syd and finds that, as he lets his feelings show for her, he is breaking all the rules he’s followed for so long.
The Tao of Steve was written by Duncan North, Jenniphr Goodman and Greer Goodman (yes, the woman who also plays Syd.) Jenniphr, Greer’s sister, directed the film. Duncan North is credited with being the inspiration for Dex. The strong relationship between the writers comes forth in the dialogue between the characters. The conversations that take place in this film are of the high-caliber of those found in Kevin Smith’s Clerks, albeit without the profanity. Although the characters aren’t fully fleshed out, we at least get an idea of their intelligence and backgrounds. That’s a nice change of pace from the usual cookie cutter people seen in most romantic comedies.
Donal Logue’s performance is breezy and somewhat likable, even though he’s supposed to be somewhat unattractive. Greer Goodman is great as Syd. It’s too bad we haven’t seen her in anything since this film (or before, for that matter.) Also worth mentioning is Kimo Wills, who does a great job being Stu to Dex’s Steve.
The Tao of Steve is not your typical romantic comedy. If you like the Julia Roberts/Richard Gere-type love story, you’ll probably find the film boring and “talky.” If you liked Chasing Amy, you should like The Tao of Steve. It’s not quite as good, but it’s worth seeing.
3.5 out of 5.0 stars
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