Reviewer's Rating 3 out of 5
The Tao Of Steve (2001)
15

A few years ago, a tongue-in-cheek philosophy book entitled "The Tao of Pooh" found hitherto untapped depths in the children's fiction of AA Milne. Now director Jenniphr Goodman finds similar resonance in the all-American machismo of Steve McQueen in her romantic comedy "The Tao of Steve".

Kindergarten teacher Dex (Donal Logue) was a heart-throb in college, and though he's piled on the pounds since he still has the power to pull any woman who takes his fancy. His secret is "The Tao of Steve", a three-step plan of sexual conquest that emulates such iconic figures as Steve Garrett from "Hawaii Five-O" and Steve Austin from "The Six Million Dollar Man".

The biggest Steve of all, though, is Steve McQueen, and it's his influence which inspires Dex as he sets out to win the heart of Syd (Greer Goodman), a gorgeous free spirit who designs sets for the Sante Fe Opera.

Low-budget indies are two-a-penny these days, but the unlikely premise of Goodman's feature debut - coupled with Logue's scene-stealing performance as the flabby lothario - makes "The Tao of Steve" more entertaining than most.

Unfolding in the unfamiliar surroundings of New Mexico with a cast of relative unknowns, it has novelty and intelligence on its side. After all, when was the last time you saw the works of Lao Tzu and Heidegger feature in a Hollywood movie?

It's also very much a family affair. Greer and Jenniphr are sisters, while the character of Dex was inspired by Jenniphr's flatmate, Duncan North.

End Credits

Director: Jenniphr Goodman

Writer: Duncan North, Greer Goodman, Jenniphr Goodman

Stars: Donal Logue, Greer Goodman, James 'Kimo' Wills, Ayelet Kaznelson, David Aaron Baker, Nina Jaroslaw, John Hines

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Length: 87 minutes

Cinema: 2 March 2001

Country: US

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