The Tao of Steve (2000)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Jenniphr Goodman

Writers:

Duncan North (written by) and
Greer Goodman (written by) ...

Release Date:

18 August 2000 (Canada)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Why do women find this man irresistible?

Plot:

Underachieving, overweight kindergarten teacher Dex finds a woman who forces him to reexamine his Zen-like system of seduction.

Plot Keywords:

Philosophy | Frisbee | Kindergarten | Waitress | Camping

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Donal Logue	...	Dex
Ayelet Kaznelson	...	Beth
John Hines	...	Ed
John Harrington Bland	...	Priest
Jessica Gormley	...	Gossipy Woman
Mercedes Herrero	...	Gossipy Woman
Cheryl Anne Jaroslaw	...	Gossipy Woman
Nina Jaroslaw	...	Maggie
David Aaron Baker	...	Rick
Dana Goodman	...	Julie
Greer Goodman	...	Syd
Dave Bynum	...	Epperley Reunion Band: Bass
Matt Nader	...	Epperley Reunion Band: Guitar and Vocals
Dave Terry	...	Epperley Reunion Band - Vocals and Guitar
John Truskett	...	Epperley Reunion Band: Drums

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some drug use.

Runtime:

87 min | Germany:81 min (TV version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:TV-MA (TV rating) | Germany:6 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Parlor - 1841 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

Company:

Good Machine

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Beth and Dex are in the car together, she drives really fast and during a shot of the car speeding, we see a different person driving the car before it switches back to Beth speeding.

Quotes:

Dex: You couldn't resist my powerful penetrating stare, could you?
Syd: No, I wanted to tell you, you had a huge glob of guacamole on your shirt.

Movie Connections:

References "Hawaii Five-O" (1968)

Soundtrack:

Peanut Butter

AKA, The Diet of Steve

This movie is that extremely rare blend of "guy movie" and "chick flick". Every guy can relate to this and most women will enjoy the (twisted) love story. Dex is the ultimate slacker - part time worker, pot smoker, over-eater and heavy drinker. His life is based on emulating the coolness of Steve McGarrett (Hawaii 5-0), Steve Austin (6 Million Dollar Man) and the ultimate in coolness, Steve McQueen. Hence, the Tao of Steve. Dex has claimed for his own a part of Zen philosophy which has made him remarkably successful in seducing women. Syd changes everything. She is an independent, career minded, drum spanking, beautiful woman that doesn't appear to fall for Dex's charms. The chase is on. Dex pulls out all stops, until his past catches reaches up and grabs him. Syd and Dex have a strange relationship that never allows either to fully define the boundaries. There is an obvious attraction, but Syd's contempt for Dex and his methods always throws up the road block. Of course, Dex does some soul searching after a health scare (that seems out of place in the movie) and the somewhat predictable ending,nonetheless brings a smile to our faces. Donal Logue give a brilliant performance as Dex, and Greer Goodman is enchanting as Syd. Greer is the sister of the movie's director, Jenniphr Goodman, and also shared in the writing credits. Take note of the soundtrack as it adds a layer to the script, which itself is loaded with great lines. Go see this movie. And it will work as a date movie.