Six Degrees of Separation (film)
| Six Degrees of Separation | |
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 Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Fred Schepisi |
| Produced by | Arnon Milchan |
| Written by | John Guare |
| Starring | Stockard Channing Will Smith Donald Sutherland Ian McKellen |
| Music by | Jerry Goldsmith |
| Cinematography | Ian Baker |
| Editing by | Peter Honess |
| Studio | New Regency |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Release date(s) | December 8, 1993 |
| Running time | 112 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $6,405,918 |
Six Degrees of Separation is a drama 1993 American film adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-finalist[1] John Guare play of the same title, which was inspired by real-life con artist David Hampton. For her lead performance, Stockard Channing received an Academy Award for Best Actress nomination.[2] The film makes reference to two Kandinsky artworks, "Black Lines" and "Several Circles," respectively referred to as chaos and control in the film.
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[edit] Synopsis
Fifth Avenue socialite Ouisa Kittredge (Stockard Channing) and her purveyor of high-art husband Flan (Donald Sutherland), are pedigree parents of "two at Harvard and one at Groton." But the privileged insular world inhabited by the Kittredge family, as well as their public status as distinguished arbiters of culture, makes them easy prey for Paul (Will Smith), a consummate con-artist. One night, Paul mysteriously shows up at their front door—injured and bleeding—claiming to be Sidney Poitier's son and a close college friend of the Kittredges' Ivy League progeny. Impressing Ouisa and Flan with his articulate literary expositions, Paul proves to be a sharp-witted, learned young man with epicurean taste and surprising culinary skill. His highbrow façade is so charmingly persuasive, Paul soon has the Kittredges lending him money, putting him up for the night and taking satisfaction in his appraisal of their posh lifestyle. Much to the Kittredge's shock, Paul is revealed to be a highly persuasive con-man, who has charmed his way into many upper-crust homes along the Upper East Side with his wit and insider knowledge. As Paul's plot unravels he becomes an urban legend of the upper crust, a witty anecdote to banter about at cocktail parties. However, he has a profound effect on the many individuals who encounter him, linking them in their shared experience.
[edit] Cast
- Stockard Channing – Ouisa Kittredge
- Will Smith – Paul
- Donald Sutherland – Flan Kittredge
- Ian McKellen – Geoffrey Miller
- Mary Beth Hurt – Kitty
- Bruce Davison – Larkin
- Richard Masur – Dr. Fine
- Anthony Michael Hall – Trent Conway
- Heather Graham - Elizabeth
- Eric Thal - Rick
- Anthony Rapp – Ben
- Oz Perkins – Woodrow ('Woody') Kittredge (as Osgood Perkins II)
- Catherine Kellner – Talbot ('Tess') Kittredge
- J. J. Abrams – Doug (as Jeffrey Abrams)
- Joe Pentangelo – Police Officer
- Steve Howell - American Airlines Pilot behind Ian McKellen in Airport
[edit] Reception
The film was a critical success, with a rating of 87% at Rotten Tomatoes. It was also Stockard Channing's most successful movie since 1978's Grease.
For this performance (his third as a dramatic actor), Smith received critical praise.[citation needed]
[edit] Awards
- 1994 Academy Award for Best Actress Nomination - Stockard Channing
- 1994 Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Nomination - Stockard Channing
[edit] References
- ^ "The Pulitzer Prizes". Pulitzer.org. http://www.pulitzer.org/bycat/Drama. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
- ^ Gerston, Jill (6 March 1994). "Stockard Channing Goes West". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/06/movies/film-stockard-channing-goes-west.html. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
[edit] External links
- Six Degrees of Separation at the Internet Movie Database
- Six Degrees of Separation at AllRovi
- Six Degrees of Separation at the TCM Movie Database
- Six Degrees of Separation at Rotten Tomatoes
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