| The Tao of Steve |
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| 1/2 |
| Rating: Mixed Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics Running Length: 1 hour, 27 minutes MPAA Rating: R Genre: Romantic Comedy (more comedy) Release Date: August 4th, 2000 (limited) Director: Jenniphr Goodman Cast: Donal Logue, Greer Goodman, Kimo Wills, Ayelet Kaznelson, and Nina Jaroslaw. |
| Plot: Dex (Donal Logue) is a very overweight kindergarden teacher who gets a lot of women. How does he do it? Well, he uses "The Tao of Steve," a way to manipulate women. It is a bit complicated, but in short it is not being eager to have sex with a woman. You just act like you are not interested, and they think that to not be interested in them you must have something to offer yourself. He gives credit to many famous "Steves," especially Steve McQueen. However, you don't have to be named Steve, to act like a "Steve". However, he eventually finds a women he actually cares for, and when she does not fall for his tricks he has to evaluate what he is doing in his life. |
| Critique: At times it is really hard not to like The Tao of Steve. It has honesty, and effort behind it. It is well made, well directed and well acted. Donal Logue delivers a fantastic, naturalistic performance. Eventually, though it is bogged down by its pure formulaic tendencies. Critics often label Hollywood films as being formulaic. Well apparently they have not watched The Tao of Steve, because if they had they would have realized indepedent film can be unoriginal too. Although it often pulls in original and fresh elements it is no more than in exercise in recycled plot. The relationship between Steve in his real female interest is just plain old. It gets tiresome to watch knowing full well what every interaction will lead too. It is a film that tries too hard to be likable, and does not spend enough time being smart. Most of the funnier and original elements are packed at the beginning. The last half an hour to an hour is just a drag. The soundtrack is loose and relaxed just like Steve. It reminds me in its nonchalant mood of the much praised Wonder Boys. The cinematography is subtle, but nice. The characters, with the possible exception of Dex's female interest are fairly round. His interactions with his friends are warm and often hilarious. When you get right down to it though The Tao of Steve is a lot like a star vehicle. This is the kind of film Richard Gere, Minnie Driver, Hugh Grant or Julia Roberts would star in. In fact, speaking of Minnie Driver, this films use of the much used romantic formula is a lot like Return To Me. Sure the plots were much different, in the end the lack of any sort of original thought is painfully insulting. So in a way perhaps this is a jumpstarter for Donal Logue's career, and thus a star vehicle (in the indie way). In conclusion, although The Tao of Steve pretends to be a fresh, funny comedy, it is just a real unoriginal bore with some good pieces of entertainment here and there. review by supernothingman |