# Tao of Steve, The (2000)

### reviewed by
Lesley Abrams

    Review: The Tao Of Steve (2000)

THE TAO OF STEVE is a rare treat of a film. Nothing blows up, no one is killed, nothing dramatic happens and people talk about ideas. It's a thoughtful film about philosophy and what women want and Steve McQueen. In the hands of less capable actors and writers, THE TAO OF STEVE might have been downright insulting. As it is, it's a refreshing change of pace with important ideas woven into a witty premise.

Dex is a pudgy kindergarten teacher, former philosophy major genius, current slacker and babe magnet. He owes his irresistibleness to a philosophy of `Steveness' -- that is, Steve Austin (THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN), Steve Garrett (HAWAII FIVE-O) and the Steviest of all -- Steve McQueen (GREAT ESCAPE). These Steves embody the essence of maleness. Steve is a state of mind, a way of living. The opposite of Steve is Stu.

There are rules to being a Steve Master: Eliminate your desire for a woman (she will come begging), be excellent in her presence (prepare that one mahi mahi recipe you've perfected) and retreat (if you're attached to nothing, you lose nothing). Living in a mess of a house in Santa Fe with like-minded men (really frat boys in their 30s) it‘s all worked for Dex so far.

Until Syd reenters his life. Meeting at their tenth college reunion, Dex is clearly smitten. And he cannot integrate his ideology with his feelings. He does not retreat, he is most un-excellent in her presence (with some genuinely amusing results) and he cannot eliminate his desire for her. More importantly, he may be in love for the first time.

THE TAO OF STEVE is written by Jennipher Goodman (the director of the film), her sister Greer (who plays Dex's love interest) and Duncan North. It is credited as being North's life story, but it is clearly shaped by the respectful hands of the Goodman women. It is a poignant look at the battle of the sexes in Millennial America -- only it's not much of a battle anymore. Maybe a skirmish. Or a contest. Or a big flirt dressed up to look like a battle. Dex and Syd's bumpy dance towards each other is written with such truth and sweetness, both characters remain likable throughout. Despite the frightening sexist principles that guide Dex's life, we adore him.

As Dex, Donal Logue is a good-for-nothing charmer. He's always late, mooches off his friends, smokes pot for breakfast and is philosophically opposed to the idea of work. But early on, we get to see a glimpse past the Steve exterior. Dex likens himself to Don Giovanni, who slept with thousands of women because he was afraid he would never be loved by one. Logue's performance is breezy and sure-footed. We certainly understand all the women's attraction for this boy/man even while we enjoy it when he gets his comeuppance.

THE TAO OF STEVE is very funny, very smart and very thoughtful. It's a delicious opportunity to think in the movie theatre -- as opposed to the normal flinch, gasp, gape, and marvel. It's a thinking person's film about thinking people. They don't come along too often.

    --Lesley Abrams
    Tucson AZ  9.12.00

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