Great Film overall

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

It's one of the most original films you'll likely see all year, which, depending on your threshold for certifiably crazy storylines, could be a rewarding experience or one that frustrates you.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

I like reviewing films I like. Trashing formula films is too easy and not as much fun. I was almost forced into that mode this week since the only recent film I had seen was Bring It On, the Kirsten Dunst vehicle about cheerleading squads that has as much substance as a cheerleader's pom-pom. And then, last night, I was saved by the Tao of Steve.This is the film that won several awards at the Sundance Film Festival including a best actor award for leading man Donal League. You may not have heard of him, but you've probably seen him in films like Runaway Bride, Jerry Maguire, and this summer's The Patriot. The Tao of Steve is League's thirty-ninth film since 1990, but almost all of his appearances have been bit parts. Here League is center stage as Dex, an overwieght, unmotivated womanizer who is fond of quoting Thomas Aquinas, Heidegger, Kierkegaard, Lao-Tse, Buddha, and pretty much anyone else that comes to mind.The title refers to Dex's belief that people like Steve McQueen, Steve McGarrett, and Steve Austin are the cool guys of the universe who have figured out how to make women want them. James Bond is a Steve, but Gomer Pyle is a Stu according to Dex, and Stus are the opposite of Steves. Dex's philosophy seems to be working since he moves from one sexual conquest to another--and then he meets a woman named Syd. The heart of this film is best explained when Dex tries to explain the motives of Don Giovanni - "Don Giovanni slept with 1,000 women because he was afraid he couldn't be loved by one."From the opening scenes it would be easy to write this off as just another trite film about a womanizing party animal, but this is really a morality play about human relationships and personal integrity. Dex never quotes Martin Buber, but he should. Buber is the author of I and Thou, and in that work Buber contrasts I-It relationships where we treat each other as objects with I-Thou relationships where humans meet and relate to each other as soul touching soul. Commenting on gender roles and the war between the sexes, Betty Friedan once said "beneath our masks we are very much alone." This is the heart of Dex's dilemma.This is the directorial debut of Jenniphr Goodman (her spelling not mine), and Jenniphr also receives first-time writing credits with Duncan North and Greer Goodman (the director's sister who also makes her screen debut in a charming performance as Syd). The chemistry between Dex and Syd reminded me of John Belushi and Blair Brown in Continental Divide. The plot is not particularly innovative, but the charm of this film is not the destination, but the journey itself. Good writing and charming performances make for a fun film that is worth a look

i could comment on the philosophical aspects of this movie, as i might like to, but the point would be mute. especially given the fact that numerous human beings vastly more intelligent then myself have already pondered it and come up inconclusive. suffice it to say that the doctrine that "we pursue that which retreats from us" may have a kibble of truth to it and may also be a pretty pessimistic interpretation of human behavior. as for the movie itself it was rank mediocrity with passable acting, low budget camera work, and somewhat decent writing. the movie would work better as a double feature with the movie dopamine. another problem i see is the seeming incongruity between the fact that the main character dex seemingly only works part time, yet manages to afford a wonderfully furnished home filled with a large library of philosophical books that no doubt cost a bunch, and can manage to afford pot and alcohol for the infinite amounts of leisure time he has. that and the fact that he manages to escape the film with only one weak punch to his head is a miracle. in all likelihood someone like this would end up a grease spot on the eleven o'clock news.rent it with dopamine 7 out 10 depending on my mood

The script was top-notch as well as the acting, especially Donal Logue.The Tao of Steve is a code that Dex(Logue) and his friends live by for attracting the opposite sex. One must be desire-less, be excellent and be gone. Dex lives by this creed faithfully until he is reintroduced to a college fling he can't seem to remember, Syd(well acted by a sensitive Greer Goodman). Syd proves to be too advanced intellectually to be swayed by the power of The Tao, so Dex must reevaluate his life in order to attract her.Dex is an average lazy, rather obese man that avoids the stresses of life, through smoking weed and practicing apathy. To be honest, I don't know if Dex deserves a second chance with Syd, but I liked the character regardless and rooted for him.A well done comedy that will tickle your funny bone.

Dex reminds me so much of what I wanted to be during High school....Mentally of course. Greer did such a great job in her portrayal of Syd that I needed proof that she actually co-wrote this "male-psyche" flick. Beautifully written, acted, and casted. A must see!