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 Mary Beth Hurt Heather Graham |
| Music by | Jerry Goldsmith |
| Cinematography | Ian Baker |
| Editing by | Peter Honess |
| Studio | New Regency |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Release date(s) |
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| Running time | 112 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $6,405,918 |
Six Degrees of Separation is a 1993 drama 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 a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress.[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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Synopsis [edit]
Fifth Avenue socialite Ouisa Kittredge (Stockard Channing) and her art dealer husband Flan (Donald Sutherland), are parents of "two at Harvard and one at Groton". But the narrow world inhabited by the Kittredges, as well as their public status as people interested in the arts, makes them easy prey for Paul (Will Smith), a skillful con-artist, who mysteriously appears at their door one night – injured and bleeding – and claiming to be a close college friend of their Ivy League kids, as well as the son of Sidney Poitier. Ouisa and Flan are much impressed by Paul's fine taste, keen wit, articulate literary expositions and surprising culinary skill. His appealing facade soon has the Kittredges putting him up, lending him money and taking satisfaction in his praise for their posh lifestyle. Paul's scheme continues until he brings home a hustler, and his actual indigence is revealed. The shocked Kittredges expel him when it is revealed that they are but the most recent victims of the duplicity with which Paul has charmed his way into many upper-crust homes along the Upper East Side. Paul's schemes become highbrow legend – anecdotal accounts of which are bantered about at their cocktail parties. In the end, Paul has a profound effect on the many individuals who encounter him, linking them in their shared experience.
Cast [edit]
- Stockard Channing as Ouisa Kittredge
- Will Smith as Paul
- Donald Sutherland as Flan Kittredge
- Ian McKellen as Geoffrey Miller
- Mary Beth Hurt as Kitty
- Heather Graham as Elizabeth
- Bruce Davison as Larkin
- Richard Masur as Dr. Fine
- Anthony Michael Hall as Trent Conway
- Eric Thal as Rick
- Anthony Rapp as Ben
- Oz Perkins as Woodrow ("Woody") Kittredge (as Osgood Perkins II)
- Catherine Kellner as Talbot ("Tess") Kittredge
- J. J. Abrams as Doug (as Jeffrey Abrams)
- Joe Pentangelo as Police Officer
- Steve Howell as American Airlines pilot behind Ian McKellen in airport
Reception [edit]
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This section does not cite any references or sources. (May 2013) |
The film was a critical success, with a rating of 88% at Rotten Tomatoes based on 32 reviews. 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.
Awards [edit]
- 1994 Academy Award for Best Actress Nomination – Stockard Channing
- 1994 Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Nomination – Stockard Channing
References [edit]
- ^ "The Pulitzer Prizes". Pulitzer.org. Retrieved 11 March 2011. Text " Drama " ignored (help)
- ^ Gerston, Jill (6 March 1994). "Stockard Channing Goes West". New York Times. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
External links [edit]
- 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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