The Tao of Steve (2000)

Underachieving, overweight kindergarten teacher Dex finds a woman who forces him to reexamine his Zen-like system of seduction.

Director:

Jenniphr Goodman

Writers:

Duncan North, Greer Goodman

Stars:

Donal Logue, Ayelet Kaznelson, John Hines

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donal Logue	...	Dex
Ayelet Kaznelson	...	Beth
John Hines	...	Ed
John Harrington Bland	...	Priest
Jessica Gormley	...	Gossipy Woman
Mercedes Herrero	...	Gossipy Woman
Cheryl Anne Jaroslaw	...	Gossipy Woman
Nina Jaroslaw	...	Maggie
David Aaron Baker	...	Rick
Dana Goodman	...	Julie
Greer Goodman	...	Syd
Dave Bynum	...	Epperley Reunion Band: Bass
Matt Nader	...	Epperley Reunion Band: Guitar and Vocals
Dave Terry	...	Epperley Reunion Band - Vocals and Guitar
John Truskett	...	Epperley Reunion Band: Drums

Storyline

In his early 30s, the beer-bellied Dex has things figured out. He's widely read in philosophy, he's studied Steve McQueen the prototypical cool American hero, and he's distilled Buddhism and Taoism into three laws that make him a hit with women: don't express desire, do something heroic in front of her, then retreat. A part-time job with young children, beer, guys, Frisbee golf, pool, poker, his dog Astro, and sex: what could be missing? Then, at his ten-year college reunion, Dex meets Syd, and the "Tao of Steve" may not be enough to get him what he wants. Plus, Syd remembers something important that Dex has forgotten. Can a cool smart guy, 50 pounds overweight, find his bliss?

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Plot Keywords:

seduction | sex | kindergarten | frisbee | philosophy | 

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Taglines:

Why do women find this man irresistible?

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some drug use

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 September 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dex, der Frauenheld

Filming Locations:

Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Parlor - 1841 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$91,791, 6 August 2000, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$4,340,373, 17 December 2000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Good Machine,Thunderhead Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min 81 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Dex and Syd are at her office, and Dex bends down after knocking over of a few baskets, you can see his strap-on belly.

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Quotes

Dave: [Paraphrasing the Tao of Steve] "Be desireless. Be excellent. Be gone."

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Crazy Credits

Special Steve Consultant Bruce "Steve" Robertson

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Connections

References Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)

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Soundtracks

The Tao of Steve (Isn't It Time?)
(2000)
Written and Performed by Eytan Mirsky
Published by Mirsky Mouse Music

User Reviews

Unseen, Unusual, and Underrated

This is a movie that opened my eyes to the world of dating and one-night stands. It is about an overweight and scruffy-looking dude that is a womanizer. Dex doesn't fit the stereotype of a womanizer (slick and fast talking, usually well-dressed and clean shaven). That was the genius behind this film. This is a movie that a lot of people should eventually get wind of and will possibly see. Not many critics consider it a classic, but I think qualifies for title of "minor classic." I give it a 10 out of 10.