Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- self aware
- date night
- lazy sunday
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film an easygoing, intelligent romantic comedy elevated by sharp dialogue and Donal Logue’s relaxed charm.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Dex converts Buddhism, Taoism, and references to thinkers such as Lao Tzu and Heidegger into three rules for attracting women.
Dex models himself on Steve McQueen and relies on calculated restraint, heroics, and retreat to appear desirable.
Dex is explicitly fifty pounds overweight yet remains socially confident, intellectually appealing, and central to the romantic narrative.
Critics repeatedly praised the film’s witty romantic dialogue and its comic use of Lao Tzu, Heidegger, Kierkegaard, and Mozart.
Films like The Tao of Steve, and why
High Fidelity
independent romantic comedy with witty dialogue, unconventional courtship, and a charmingly flawed male protagonist
The Break-Up
warm, conversational romantic comedy centered on self-knowledge, emotional avoidance, and neurotic relationships
Enough Said
character-driven romantic comedy blending intellectual banter, personal growth, and an imperfect love seeker
Movie Details
- Director
- Jenniphr Goodman
- Release Date
- 2000-08-04
- Runtime
- 87 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (89)
Cast
- Donal Logue
- Ayelet Kaznelson
- John Hines
- John Harrington Bland
- Jessica Gormley
- Mercedes Herrero
- Cheryl Anne Jaroslaw
- Nina Jaroslaw
- David Aaron Baker
- Dana Goodman
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Tao of Steve about?
- A self-styled philosopher and expert in cool tries to turn his dating rules into genuine love when an old college connection sees through his carefully practiced persona.
- What is The Tao of Steve like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Tao of Steve as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Tao of Steve violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Tao of Steve.
- What did critics think of The Tao of Steve?
- Critics broadly found the film an easygoing, intelligent romantic comedy elevated by sharp dialogue and Donal Logue’s relaxed charm.
- Which films are like The Tao of Steve?
- Films with a similar feel include High Fidelity, The Break-Up, and Enough Said.
- How long is The Tao of Steve?
- The Tao of Steve runs 87 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Tao of Steve?
- In United States, The Tao of Steve streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
