The Tao of Steve 9/10

The Tao of Steve (R) 2000
Reviewer’s Tilt (6)
Romantic Comedy-87min
Special DVD Features worth a look- Commentary track

Americans are great. We are so engulfed in slacking off, that we bring every brain cell to bear on the matter of increasing the efficiency of our lives to maximize our slacking. In the Tao of Steve, erstwhile lothario Dex (Donal Logue) has become horizontally challenged in the ten years since college, but has not had any less trouble courting the fairer sex. Since his school days, Dex, no less the libertine, has honed his skill into a philosophy of life—the Tao of Steve. Having little to do with outward aesthetic the philosophy focuses on projecting disinterest in the pursuit of women.

Dex has perfected his approach to the point where it does not matter how fat, slovenly, lazy or poor he becomes, the technique still works. A meeting with an attractive former classmate Syd (Greer Goodman), however, convinces Dex that there may be more to life. Dex becomes concerned that his philosophy may be dragging him away from true love and toward the hell that is his life of ennui. His conquests, being so easily taken, wind up being unfulfilling notches on a bedpost. He realizes that he is equally parts suave Don Juan and existential Kierkegaard, both of whom were so afraid of love that they died lonely and alone. Dex’s catharsis leads him from the Tao of Steve to the Koan of Syd.

Dex realizes that life is not an algorithm to be identified and solved, but an unmasterable experience, capable of dispensing love to those who succumb to it, and sorrow to those who attempt to conquer it. It is only when we stop trying to “solve” life questions and start “experiencing” life’s mysteries that we learn what it is “to be.” A little heavy on 90’s culture, pop references and impossibly witty existentialist exchanges, the film does exude a certain wit, due in no small part to the effortless delivery of its talented cast. Donal Loge, Greer Goodman and David Aaron Baker imbibe the movie with the effortless charm missing from most romantic comedies and indie films. The writing, complements of real life “Dex” Duncan North, director Jenniphr Goodman and her sibling, leading lady Greer Goodman, is crisp and lively, although, like my own, occasionally overwrought and pedantic. Despite the occasional wart, as lighthearted indie films go, this is one is one to take home to mother.

Format: Color, Widescreen Anamorphic, Closed captioned.
Sound: (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
Extras: Cast & crew commentary, bios, trailers.