Tao of Steve

Theatrical Release Date: 2000 08 04 (USA - Limited)

UPC: 043396056640

Studio: Columbia TriStar

MPAA Rating: R   Contains:[Adult Language, Drug Content]

Summary: Jenniphr Goodman makes her directorial debut with this film about an overweight slacker who has an unusual ability to attract the ladies. The film opens in Santa Fe with portly Don Juan Dex (Donal Logue) at his college reunion. Two of his school day conquests comment about how much weight Dex has gained since graduation. He gamely flirts with a student bartender, but he finds himself attracted to Syd (Greer Goodman) the attractive blonde drummer of the band. Later, Dex tries to teach one of his desperate roommates the "Tao of Steve" (as in 1960s swinging stud Steve McQueen). Rule one: feign a complete lack of interest in anything physical. Rule two: do something excellent in order to demonstrate your "sex-worthiness." Yet when wooing Syd, he finds his prowess and his faith in the Tao tested. Out of desperation, he shows all his cards and tells her he is in love with her. She fires back with the revelation that they actually once had sex back during college. Though initially flummoxed, he continues to pursue her until she invites him on a backpacking trip up in the mountains. After an unfortunate incident involving some guy and a fist, Syd nurses Dex back to health, and soon romantic sparks fly. This film was screened at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

Category: Comedy

Awards: Special Jury Prize for Outstanding Performance – Sundance Film Festival

Features: Digitally mastered audio and anamorphic video
Widescreen presentation
Audio: English 2-channel [Dolby Surround]
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
Cast and crew commentary
Theatrical trailers
Talent files
Interactive menus
Scene selections
Direct weblink featuring "The Steve Test"

Tao of Steve

Format: DVD

Release Date: 03/20/2001

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen

Audio: DDS2.0 Dolby Digital w/ 4 channels

Runtime: 87 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English

Subtitles: English,Spanish,French

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Side #1 --
0. Side #1 --
0. Scene Selections
1. Start [6:59]
2. Syd [1:44]
3. "Peanut Butter" [1:08]
4. First Rule of Steve [4:00]
5. Truck schedule [2:49]
6. Mango Mahi Mahi [1:06]
7. Qualities in a woman [1:57]
8. 7:30 Sharp [4:32]
9. Second Rule of Steve [3:58]
10. Don Giovanni complex [3:38]
11. Home early [1:30]
12. The ultimate Steve [4:04]
13. Third Rule of Steve [4:05]
14. Pool party [4:21]
15. Solace in contempt [3:38]
16. Lao Tzu [1:51]
17. Ulterior motive? [1:50]
18. "I love camping." [4:16]
19. America's state religion [1:38]
20. Shelter from the storm [3:49]
21. Good news/bad news [3:28]
22. "Ed hit me." [3:42]
23. Non-nudity idea [1:17]
24. Grappling with the moment [2:07]
25. Leaving in three days [2:06]
26. Special of the Day [2:50]
27. "I left Ed." [3:06]
28. Person-to-person call [5:17]

Karl Williams

A massively charming and intelligent film that is tailor-made for its low budget and independent milieu, The Tao of Steve launched the career of character actor Donal Logue to a new level. In her directorial debut, Jenniphr Goodman maintains the integrity of an artistic high-wire act, sympathetically presenting a main character who is staggeringly selfish, smug, and manipulative -- but who's also skating by on loads of witty appeal. That Dex (Logue) remains likable and interesting despite his negative qualities is a measure of Goodman's skill as a co-writer and director. Without the skepticism she brings to the proceedings and the careful revelations that Dex is slyly self-deluded, audiences would reject rather than embrace him. Like many other indie projects, particularly those from Quentin Tarantino and Kevin Smith, Goodman's romantic comedy contains heavy doses of postmodern irony and media-obsessed cultural observations. Also starring Greer Goodman, the director's sister, Taowas co-written by Duncan North, the Goodmans' friend and real-life model for Dex. A film festival hit, Tao was also subsequently developed as a possible television series. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Kimo Wills  Actor 
Nina Jaroslaw  Actor 
Joe Delia  Composer (Music Score) 
Ted Hope  Executive Producer 
Jenniphr Goodman  Director 
Jenniphr Goodman  Screenwriter 
Duncan North  Screenwriter 
Donal Logue  Actor 
Greer Goodman  Actor 

Country: USA