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:

Continuity: Dex's book is not on the couch after he returns from his conversation with Syd by the wall.

Quotes:

Dex: Look at me. Look at me, okay? Technically, I shouldn't be getting laid, but I do. And do you know why, Dave? Because when I'm hanging out with a woman, that's all I'm doing is hanging out, talking, listening. I'm not sitting there thinking about how to get in bed with her. And this completely confuses them because they're saying "Wait a minute. I'm so much better looking than this guy. Isn't he attracted to me?" The basic principle: We pursue that which retreats from us.
Rick: It's from Heidegger.
Unnamed Guy Playing Poker: Groucho Marks said the same thing. "Act like a woman can't join your club, and she'll do almost anything to get in."

Movie Connections:

References "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." (1964)

Soundtrack:

Martini Five-O

incredibly literate truthful funny script supported by great acting

no wonder this thing snagged donal logue top acting honors at the 2000 sundance festival, but i don't know what the better script could've been. this thing has it all: guy talk, girl talk, echoes and resonance, love and respect for all its characters, wit, poignancy, politics, uplift, a tremendous depth and breath of literary allusion, and a substantial dose of digestible philosophy from some of the greatest minds of world thought. seriously, this may be the first movie to quote Kirkegaard and george jetson in the same scene and make them both look wise. it's a movie about love, about wisdom, about fun, but mostly it's about learning real values and gaining all the rest through learning to be the best person you can be. that's a big load for such a funny film, but this one handles it all and then some. this doesn't mention the beautiful sets, the music (original, appropriate, and inventive, though probably the film's weakest suit)the cute kids and the celebration of contemporary gentle-souled hipster lifestyles. AND it's only 82 minutes long, you can almost fit it in on a lunch break but it will last you far longer than that. thanks so much to Greer and Jenniphr Goodman for their script and direction. from all us steve wannabes, but actual duncan north's of the world, thank you!