The lesson to be learned from "The Tao of Steve" — if there can really be said to be one in a film as lightweight as this — is that you don't have to be a bronzed Adonis to be a leading man.

Actually, that axiom only proves true in independently made movies such as this silly but charming romantic comedy, which dares to shoot down more than just a couple of Hollywood's preconceived notions of beauty.

For example, only in a non-Hollywood comedy could you ever find as unlikely a womanizer as plus-sized character actor Donal Logue. In your typical big-budget production, he'd be wasted in a supporting role, probably that of the hero's goofy best friend or sidekick (such as his work in "Mission: Impossible II").

In fact, the mainstream movie industry could take several other lessons from this amiable shaggy dog of a movie, which contains so many refreshing ideas that it still works even when the story itself becomes too predictable.

The film's title refers to a code of dating conduct based on the examples of such famous Steves as McGarrett ("Hawaii Five-O"), Austin ("The Six Million Dollar Man") and possibly the most "Steve-like" of them all, Steve McQueen.

Its main adherent is Dex (Logue), a slovenly, overweight kindergarten teacher. To the surprise of many, this rambling wreck of a man is a pretty successful lothario, whose conquests include one of his friend's wives (Ayelet Kaznelson). However, his smooth-talking charms are put to the test by Syd (Greer Goodman, who helped co-write the screenplay), a beautiful set designer who pretty much wants nothing to do with him.

So the love-struck Dex contrives ways to spend time with her, such as sharing custody of a truck they're using for work transportation. And though she seems to be warming to him, Syd still keeps him at arm's length.

At a loss to figure out why she keeps rejecting him, Dex finally discovers the truth. It turns out the two of them had a past together in college, which he's conveniently forgotten — along with a whole slew of other one-nighters.

In its way, this film resembles "High Fidelity," which was similarly low-key but appealing. Unlike that one, though, this is actually based on a real-life person — Duncan North, who co-wrote the script with Goodman and her sister, director Jenniphr Goodman (making a good feature-filmmaking debut).

Perhaps that's why the dialogue and situations have such a ring of truth to them, but also why the hasty ending feels a bit incomplete and sketchy. Fortunately, by the time that you've grown immune to Dex's (and the film's) charms, the all-too-brief movie is already over.

Not too surprisingly, Logue won an acting trophy from this year's Sundance Film Festival for his sturdy, funny work. However, it's newcomer Greer Goodman who really impresses, since she's able to keep up with him most of the way.

"The Tao of Steve" is rated R for occasional strong profanity, simulated drug use (marijuana), a pair of relatively brief sex scenes and brief violence (fisticuffs). Running time: 87 minutes.

---

E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com