"THE TAO OF STEVE"
(2000) (Donal Logue, Greer Goodman) (R)

Alcohol/ Drugs	Blood/Gore	Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude	Frightening/ Tense Scenes	Guns/ Weapons
Heavy	Minor	Heavy	None	None
Imitative Behavior	Jump Scenes	Music (Scary/Tense)	Music (Inappropriate)	Profanity
Mild	None	None	None	Heavy
Sex/ Nudity	Smoking	Tense Family Scenes	Topics To Talk About	Violence
Heavy	Moderate	Mild	Mild	Minor

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QUICK TAKE:

Romantic Comedy: An overweight underachiever finds himself perplexed when the newest woman in his life doesn't fall for his unique but successful philosophy of attracting women.

PLOT:

Back in college, Dex (DONAL LOGUE) was probably the smartest guy in school and he had a well-deserved reputation for luring many women into his bed with his unique, self-styled philosophy about romance. Now ten years later, Dex still manages to attract various women - including Beth (AYELET KAZNELSON), a married woman with whom he's having an affair - but he's become an overweight, underachieving kindergarten teacher who spends his free time smoking pot and spouting philosophy with his buddies.

Combining the thoughts and comments of various philosophers and comedians, Dex has fashioned and lived by a guideline for dating - what he calls "The Tao of Steve" - regarding how to transform everyday guys, such as naïve Dave (KIMO WILLS), into cool dudes -- best epitomized by actor Steve McQueen - who then have no problem getting women into bed.

While his married friends Rick (DAVID AARON BAKER) and Maggie (NINA JAROSLAW) often think he's full of it, they get to see his act in full force when he meets their friend Syd (GREER GOODMAN) at their college reunion. Although Dex doesn't remember her from school, the set designer clearly recalls him, but certainly doesn't allow herself to fall prey to his manipulative charm.

That, of course, completely perplexes him, and when the two end up sharing Rick and Maggie's truck for transportation to and from their respective jobs, he steps up his efforts to get her in bed by acting like he doesn't want to do just that. With her repeatedly ignoring his attempts, he slowly begins to realize that he's actually falling for her, a point that carries added poignancy considering his previous die-hard philosophy and a secret from their past that's eventually comes to light.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?

Unless they're fans of someone in the cast or of small, independent films, it's not very likely.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: R

For language and some drug use.

CAST AS ROLE MODELS:

DONAL LOGUE plays an overweight, underachieving kindergarten teacher who drinks, smokes pot and cigarettes, cusses and has a unique, but successful philosophy about how to get women in bed. As such, he does just that, with one of his flings being an affair with a married woman. He begins to change his ways, however, when he meets and then falls for Syd.

GREER GOODMAN plays a strong-willed woman who doesn't immediately fall for Dex's manipulative philosophy, but does end up in bed with him (as she did in the past). She also briefly uses some profanity.

KIMO WILLS plays an inexperienced, but eager "student" of Dex's who wishes to learn Dex's ways of getting women into bed. He uses some strong profanity.

AYELET KAZNELSON plays a married woman who's having an affair with Dex.

DAVID AARON BAKER and NINA JAROSLAW play a married couple who are friends with both Dex and Syd.

CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO

HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE

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Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit?
Then read OUR TAKE of this film.

(Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below).

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OUR WORD TO PARENTS:

Here's a quick look at the content found in this R-rated romantic comedy. Profanity is rated as heavy due to at least 7 uses of the "f" word, while other expletives and colorful phrases are also used. Relatively non-explicit, sexually related dialogue is also present and a partially seen sexual encounter (involving an affair between the protagonist and a married woman) occurs.

Much of that dialogue and the protagonist's center of attention are focused on slyly manipulating women to get into bed with him (and/or teaching a less experienced man the "tricks of the trade"), and we see that he's successful several times (suggested by him in bed - at different times - with various women, although no nudity or movement occurs).

Some will obviously see the protagonist's philosophy and behavior about such matters as having bad attitudes. In addition, he smokes marijuana (via a joint and bong hits), regular cigarettes and drinks, as do others. A brief punch constitutes the film's violence. Should this summary not appease your concerns about the film's appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may want to see it, you can always check out our more detailed content listings for specific examples of what occurs in the film.

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ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE

People have drinks and beer at a college reunion, including Dex who has beer and fixes himself a Long Island Iced Tea. Later, we see him smoking what looks like a joint.

Dex, Dave and their friends have beer in front of them while playing poker.

One of Dex's dates comments on the margaritas they just had and that on her last date (with someone else) all they had was pizza and a six-pack.

Dex takes a hit from his bong in front of Syd.

After Syd asks if Dex wishes he did more with his life, he replies that Hitler did a lot of stuff and that most people probably wished he had just "stayed home and got stoned."

Dex acts like Dave talking to a woman saying that he just smoked some pot and wonders if she wants to have sex with him.

Dex and his friends have beer in front of them again while playing poker.

Dex does another bong hit.

People have beer at a pool party, including Dex.

Dex tells Syd that he was so stoned and drunk in college that he doesn't remember half of what happened.

Dex and his friends have beer in front of them once more while playing poker.

Dex has a beer.

BLOOD/GORE

Dex has some black and blue marks near his eye after being punched.

DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE

Dex beds many women (by using his slyly manipulative philosophy of attracting them) and is having an affair with a married woman. Some may also view that philosophy of manipulating women as having both types of attitudes.

Although he's overweight himself, Dex admits that he wouldn't date an overweight woman.

Dex lies about waiting for some parts to arrive to repair his truck (they have) so that he can continue sharing a truck with Syd. He then lies about a few other things to Syd, but eventually confesses to doing so.

We learn that Dex and Syd slept together in college, and that he doesn't remember doing so.

FRIGHTENING SCENES

None.

GUNS/WEAPONS

None.

IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR

Phrases: "F*ck that," "Fat f*cking pig," "Shut the f*ck up," "Like sh*t on a shoe," "Bullsh*t," "Piece of sh*t," "Laid" (sexual), "Chicks" and "Gals" (women), "Suck," "Screw you guys," "Go to hell," "P*ssed," "Pissed off," "You're so full of it," "Sucked," "Shut up" and "Freaking."

Some males may try emulating Dex's philosophy about getting women into bed to see if it really works.

While standing at the refrigerator, Dex eats ice cream directly from the carton, pours chocolate syrup directly into his mouth, and then shoots whipping cream directly into his mouth as well. Seeing his dog begging for some, he then shoots some into its mouth as well.

Dex has a tattoo on his shoulder.

JUMP SCENES

None.

MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE)

None.

MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE)

None.

PROFANITY

At least 7 "f" words, 9 "s" words, 3 slang terms for/using male genitals ("d*ck" and "pr*ck"), 2 hells, 1 ass (used with "hole"), 1 S.O.B., 9 uses of "Oh my God," 4 of "Oh God," 2 of "My God" and 1 use each of "G-damn," "God" and "Jesus."

SEX/NUDITY

As seen through an opening of books in what's presumably a library, we see the head and shoulders of Dex and Beth having sex while standing up. She mentions that maybe they shouldn't be doing that, but he says, "Trust me, it will be over soon."

Dex tells a former classmate turned priest that he thought about becoming a priest himself, but probably an Episcopalian rather than Catholic since they can have sex.

Some women at a college reunion admit to sleeping with Dex while in college.

While talking with Dave about a woman he's interested in, Dex asks if he wants to have sex with her (he does). Dex then tells Dave that he's violating the first rule of Steve that is "Eliminate your desires. If you're out with a girl and thinking about getting laid, you're finished. A woman can smell an agenda like sh*t on a shoe." Dave then asks if he has a better chance of getting "laid" by acting like he doesn't want to get "laid." Dex then replies, "Technically I shouldn't be getting laid, but I do." He then adds that the reason he does is that he doesn't act like he's trying to get in bed with women and doing so confuses them.

The morning after their date, we see Dex wake up with a woman asleep in bed with him.

Dex mentions the potential of missing out on good years of sex if he settled down with someone.

We see Dex making out with Beth (and nuzzling her neck) out in a parked car at night and she asks if he wants to make love. He then jokes about that phrase and nothing apparently happens between the two.

Dex tells Dave that he needs to learn how to hang out with a woman without groping her in the first ten minutes. He then tells him the second rule of being Steve: "You have to do something excellent in her presence, therefore proving your sexual worthiness." He then acts like Dave talking to a woman saying that he just smoked some pot and wonders if she wants to have sex with him.

Syd says that Don Giovanni slept with thousands of women because he was afraid he wouldn't be loved by one.

We see Dex and Beth making out while she sits on a table and he stands between her legs. We then later see them in bed under the covers with him partly on top of her (making out, but no nudity or movement). Moments later, we see both of them under the covers apparently after sex.

Dex tells Syd that the thought of seeing women naked will get men to do anything, such as going to the opera.

Dex tells Dave that maybe he should tattoo the motto, "We pursue that which retreats from us" "on your d*ck."

We learn that Dex and Syd slept together in college, and that he doesn't remember doing so.

Dave makes some comments about being honest about wanting to "get laid."

Dex tells Dave that both men and women want to have sex, and that it's natural, but that they're on different timetables (women want to have sex fifteen minutes after men). Dex then adds that if he can hold out for twenty minutes, she'll then be chasing him for five. Dave replies that he doesn't know if he can hold out that long.

Dex and Syd start kissing, we then later see them on a bed kissing (both are clothed) and he tells her to slow down as she starts to undo his shirt. She reminds him that he'll eventually have to take off his clothes. They kiss some more and we then see them in bed, under the covers (we see the top half of her bare back), presumably after sex.

There's talk about Dave getting "laid."

SMOKING

Dex smokes around five times, while Dave and other friends smoke once.

TENSE FAMILY SCENES

Beth is having an affair with Dex and she eventually leaves her husband (but we don't see any of the married couple's confrontation about that).

TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT

Dex's philosophy about how to get women interested in him and then into bed and how he eventually abandons that when he falls for Syd.

Casual sex and the involved risks.

Dex's comments about people being more concerned with their relationships with each other rather than with God.

VIOLENCE

Beth's husband punches Dex and knocks him to the ground.

Reviewed August 13, 2000 / Posted August 18, 2000

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