The Tao Of Steve (DVD)

...trying to be like all the cool 'Steves' in movies (Steve McQueen being the ultimate role model) which seems to bring him luck with the ladies despite his somewhat average looks: 'The Tao of Steve'. He spends many an afternoon playing frisbie golf and passing on his words of wisdom to his mates. I didn't quite keep his exact words in mind while watching, so I call upon the official film website for his essential philosophical statement drawn from ...
...life has managed to walk the line between off-putting disinterest and creepy stalking.

So then, guess what. At a college reunion, while feeling a little under-achieving, he meets Syd, who is inexplicably impervious to his charms. They end up spending time together and bickering in the way people that like each other do. I won't tell you how it turns out, as if you couldn't guess. Suffice to say Dex begins to question his long-held ... more

I saw this film pretty much as soon as it came out on dvd (it had a different cover then) and it's such a hidden treasure that when I saw no-one had reviewed it I decided I had to.

********The story
This film is essentially about a thirty-something ambitionless nursery teacher (Dex) who coasts through life and has created his fusion philosophy of Buddhism lite, pop-philosophy and trying to be like all the cool 'Steves' in movies (Steve McQueen being the ultimate role model) which seems to bring him luck with the ladies despite his somewhat average looks: 'The Tao of Steve'. He spends many an afternoon playing frisbie golf and passing on his words of wisdom to his mates. I didn't quite keep his exact words in mind while watching, so I call upon the official film website for his essential philosophical statement drawn from Heidegger: we (ie women) pursue that which retreats from us. He interprets this to mean that you should essentially play hard to get, and thus far in his life has managed to walk the line between off-putting disinterest and creepy stalking.

So then, guess what. At a college reunion, while feeling a little under-achieving, he meets Syd, who is inexplicably impervious to his charms. They end up spending time together and bickering in the way people that like each other do. I won't tell you how it turns out, as if you couldn't guess. Suffice to say Dex begins to question his long-held beliefs in his clumsy pursuit of Syd, and has to decide whether to give up some aspects of his life in order to be with her.

This is an intelligent, funny, warm and character-driven movie and the dialogue makes up for the somewhat slim plot. It's set in New Mexico and so while the scenery is rather barren, the sandy setting gives the film quite a warm feel.

********The things we do
My favourite scene in this movie is when Dex agrees to go on a camping trip with Syd to impress her and spend time with her (and her friends). The soundtrack at this point is 'The Outdoor Type' by the Lemonheads and it's perfect. As someone who doesn't camp by choice (why sleep on the floor when you can sleep in a bed?) I can totally relate to this, and haven't we all done something shall we say out of our comfort zone to impress someone? (It was rock-climbing in my case; never again!). Dex, wheezing along behind the others and complaining about insects, personifies the song: 'never owned a sleeping bag let alone a mountain bike....I can't go away with you on a rock-climbing weekend - what if something's on tv and it's never shown again?!'
My favourite dialogue comes during a fireside chat in this same scene and it goes a little something like this (Letterman being a daily evening chat show in the US):

- No-one ever says "Hey God, how was your day? What can I do for you God?" or "Hey God, did you catch Letterman last night?"
- Oh and I suppose you talk to God like that?
- Always. All the time.
- And what does God say?
- He says "You know what? I saw Letterman, and it sucked."

And also, being a 'chick' I like the final scene, which I won't give away, but it's not rocket science to figure out what might happen.

********Selected cast and crew
Dex - Donal Logue
Syd - Greer Goodman
Dave - Kimo Wills
Beth - Ayelet Kaznelson

Director: Jenniphr Goodman

********Down to earth overweight guys
I've always had a fondness for down to earth, kind, chubby guys (hence Philip Seymour Hoffman in State and Main) so, together with the anti-camping sentiments, that probably explains why I liked this movie. It feels and is an independent film. Is it a chick flick? I'm not sure - I suppose it probably is, but guys, especially the grown-up boys in denial, will probably relate (and hopefully learn a little something!) If you liked 'Sideways', 'The Truth About Cats and Dogs', 'The Daytrippers', 'State and Main', you'd like this.
Finally, let me just say even though this is a film-only review that the dvd cover was clearly designed by 14-year old boys in heat (or is that on heat??). Don't let it put you off! I hereby recommend it.

The Tao of Steve (2000) Dir. Jenniphr Goodman
Available at amazon.co.uk for £7.97, and I've just seen one at ebay for £2.00.

Website (from where stills I've added come):
http://www.sonypictures.com/classics/taoofsteve/above4.html 

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