The Tao of Steve (2000) 3 stars out of 4. Starring Donal Logue, Greer Goodman, Kimo Wills, Ayelet Kaznelson, David Aaron Baker and Nina Jaroslaw. Written by Duncan North with Grerr Goodman and Jenniphr Goodman. Dirrected by Jenniphr Goodman.
"The Tao of Steve "is a different type of romantic comedy in as much as its protagonist is a character for whom you have very little respect and whom - at least at the outset - I considered an immature, selfish, perpetual adolescent.
We first meet Dex (Donal Logue) at his 10-year college reunion. Once big man on campus, Dex is now almost as large as a college campus. He teaches kindergarten, is single and lives by a philosophy that is a conglomeration of Eastern practices and self-created b.s.
Basically, Dex's philosophy is this: Be cool and indifferent around women, don't chase them, let them chase you. Women love to be the hunters. You will get more women into bed if you be the prey and let them be the pursuer.
This is Dex's mantra. And it seems to work for the overweight, out-of-shape, pot smoking, underachiever. He is in the midst of an affair with Beth (Ayelet Kaznelson), the wife of one of his closest friends, and he seems to have bedded half the women in Santa Fe.
Then he meets up with Syd (Greer Goodman), a gorgeous young woman who rides motorcycles and designs sets for the Santa Fe opera. Dex is smitten, but fights valiantly to maintain his credo.
Yet at the same time Dex is falling in love with Syd, she appears unimpressed by his charms. Later, we learn she has good reason for her disdain.
And when Dex discovers her secret, he begins to repute all things Steve.
In a sense, "The Tao of Steve," written by Duncan North with Greer Goodman and Jenniphr Goodman, though based on North's life, is actually a feminist fantasy in which the love of a good woman rehabilitates an otherwise unredeemable semi-slacker.
However, the method in which the trio of screenwriters attain their goal is intriguing to watch.
Dex's journey to a new understanding is interesting to observe. We see his doubts, his defense mechanism and his final acceptance of the truth.
Logue has a very expressive face. It's part smirk, part hurt puppy with a bit of false bravado tossed in for good measure. In public he feigns a non-interest in Syd that is meant to keep her off balance. In private, he pines for her.
Greer Goodman's Syd could undo any red-blooded man's mantra. She is lovely, intelligent, self-sufficient; not afraid to speak her mind. She uses wisecracks to cover the hurt Dex unknowingly caused years before and, like Dex, she feigns an indifference on the subject of the pair committing to a meaningful relationship.
Yet Syd is a vulnerable and caring woman, who cannot explain - even to herself - her growing attraction to and affection for Dex.
"The Tao of Steve" is one of those independent movies that is a 90-minute character study. There is a lot of dialogue - much of it witty, especially a poker-game sequence where Dex and his cronies explain the coolness of Steves, i.e., McQueen, McGarrett (Hawaii 5-0) and Austin (The Six Million Dollar Man).
Articulate and interesting movies such as this are rare. So, take a chance. You may surprise yourself - and, guys, you may even see something of yourself in "The Tao of Steve."
Bob Bloom is the film critic at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, IN. He can be reached by e-mail at bloom@journal-courier.com or at bobbloom@iquest.net Reviews by Bloom can be found on the Internet Movie Database at: http://www.imdb.com/M/reviews_by?Bob+Bloom
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