Watch Tao of Steve

The 2000 indie romantic comedy Tao of Steve follows the love life of Dex (Donal Logue), a chubby, 30-something former frat boy living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Dex has a philosophical system that he calls the "Tao of Steve" (based on the pattern of behavior of Steve McQueen, Steve Sipprell, and Steve Austin), which he believes will make him irresistible to women. The rules of the Tao are simple: be desireless, be excellent, and be gone. This means that Dex tries to be charming and witty but never lets anyone (especially women) see that he is interested in them.

The movie begins with Dex teaching a class of elementary school children and flirting with parents during recess. He is still in love with his college sweetheart, Syd (Greer Goodman), who has long since moved on and is now engaged to another man. When Syd comes to visit for a wedding, Dex tries to win her back, but his playboy ways backfire and she sees through his facade.

Meanwhile, Dex meets a beautiful and intelligent grad student named Maggie (Ayelet Kaznelson), who challenges him intellectually and emotionally. Maggie is initially put off by Dex's womanizing ways but is also intrigued by his Taoist philosophy. They start spending time together, and Dex is pleasantly surprised when Maggie seems interested in him despite his less-than-perfect physique. However, when Maggie reveals that she has a boyfriend, Dex is forced to confront his own feelings of jealousy and insecurity.

In the midst of all this, Dex's best friend Dave (John Hines) comes to visit with his band, the B-Sharps. Like Dex, Dave used to be a ladies' man, but he has settled down and is now married with children. Dex envies Dave's stability and loving relationship with his family but also feels sorry for him for having lost his edge.

As the wedding approaches, Dex must come to terms with his past mistakes and figure out whether he is willing to change his ways to be with Maggie. The film explores themes of love, identity, and the consequences of one's actions.

The Tao of Steve is a charming and clever film that subverts rom-com tropes and offers a unique perspective on modern relationships. Donal Logue shines as the lovable and flawed Dex, and Ayelet Kaznelson gives a nuanced and sympathetic performance as his intellectual equal. The script is sharp and witty, and the supporting cast (including David Aaron Baker, Nina Jaroslaw, and Kimo Wills) provides plenty of laughs and insight.

Director and co-writer Jenniphr Goodman (Greer Goodman's sister) infuses the film with a laid-back, Southwestern vibe that reflects the characters' attitudes toward life and love. The desert scenery and eclectic soundtrack (featuring songs by The Pixies, Spoon, and The Replacements) add to the film's indie charm.

Overall, the Tao of Steve is a refreshing and engaging romantic comedy that explores the complexities of human relationships with humor and heart. It offers a fresh take on the genre and is a must-see for fans of indie cinema.

Tao of Steve is a 2000 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 70.