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Stockard Channing, Will Smith, Donald Sutherland, Ian McKellen, Mary Beth Hurt ... see more see more... , Bruce Davison , Richard Masur , Anthony Michael Hall , Heather Graham , Eric Thal , Anthony Rapp , Oz Perkins , Catherine Kellner , Kelly Bishop , Maggie Burke , John Cunningham , Peter Duchin , Nancy Duerr , Margaret Eginton , Richmond Hoxie , Madhur Jaffrey , Brian McConnachie , Ann McDonough , Maeve McGuire , Frank O'Brien , Vince O'Brien , Joe Pentangelo , Vasek Simek , Sam Stoneburner , Daniel von Bargen , Jeffrey Abrams , Richard Whiting , Kitty Carlisle Hart , Robert Trumbull , John Rowe , Margaret Thomson , David Tice , Ellen Chenoweth , Edmond Genest , Mitch Kolpan , Adele Chatfield-Taylor , Lou Milione , Jose Rabelo , Paul Schmidt , J.J. Abrams

Two socialites find their view of the world changed when a young man takes advantage of their preconceptions in this thoughtful comedy-drama. Flan and Ouisa Kittredge (Donald Sutherland and Stockard C... read more read more...hanning) are a married couple who have built highly successful careers as art dealers catering to Manhattan's upper crust. The Kittredges are entertaining friends one evening when a young black man named Paul (Will Smith) appears at their door. Paul says that he's a close friend of their children, with whom he attended boarding school, and he's just been mugged and needs to get off the street for a moment. Flan and Ouisa invite him in, and they are immediately taken by Paul's intelligence and charm; he offers to prepare dinner, regales them with stories about his father, Sidney Poitier, and ends up spending the night at their apartment. However, the next morning Flan and Ouisa discover that they've been had; Paul is actually a con artist from the streets who has been pulling the wool over the eyes of many of their friends -- and his actions are beginning to have serious consequences. John Guare adapted the script from his own successful stage play; the supporting cast includes Ian McKellen, Mary Beth Hurt, Bruce Davison, and Heather Graham. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

67% liked it

15,294 ratings

Critics

88% liked it

32 critics

R, 1 hr. 52 min.

Directed by: Fred Schepisi

Release Date: December 10, 1993

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DVD Release Date: August 15, 2000

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Stats: 668 reviews

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Stockard Channing in Six Degrees of Separation Stockard Channing in Six Degrees of Separation Stockard Channing in Six Degrees of Separation Stockard Channing in Six Degrees of Separation Stockard Channing in Six Degrees of Separation Donald Sutherland in Six Degrees of Separation Stockard Channing in Six Degrees of Separation Stockard Channing in Six Degrees of Separation Six Degrees of Separation Six Degrees of Separation
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Flixster Reviews (668)

  • brooklynspo
    April 15, 2007
    brooklynspo
    Way better than I expected. Stockard Channing was outstanding, the story was absorbing and I found it easy to forgive the obvious theatricality of the whole affair. Strangely for a drawing-room comedy - this film features some dynamite widescreen cinematography.
  • kiriyamakazou
    September 17, 2008
    kiriyamakazou
    Transferring stage plays to the screen is very tricky. By their nature plays are more dialogue heavy and are set in a much smaller world, often limited rooms etc. This is one of the films that seems to have a lot of trouble in transforming one medium to another. Lengthy dialogue ... read moreisn't the problem though, it's the continuous retelling at different social occasions. Of course this all becomes the point by the last scene but it still feels awkward. The film could have shown so much more and rather than criticised the high-class wealthy elite it could have gone deeper into Paul's psychosis. At least for the audience if not the main characters. The film also revels in the fact it swings around issues of gays/blacks and both as though it is proclaiming something brand new and fascinating. Will Smith's refusal to actually kiss Anthony Michael Hall at the time says more about being black and gay than this whole film. It's certainly acted well for the most part, though it is clear to see how Smith has improved over the years. The humour also goes some way to creating a more enjoyable experience.
  • thmtsang
    July 14, 2007
    thmtsang
    Will's character is very interesting. Is there really 6 degrees of separation?
  • superclerk25
    February 12, 2007
    superclerk25
    Strang movie featuring a gay Will Smith.
  • trisarahtops22
    August 21, 2011
    trisarahtops22
    I enjoyed this movie. It was interesting and also funny..."You bought me that pink shirt for my new body. I loved that shirt!" Hilarious...and touching. You really felt for Paul and by the end, Ouisa too.
  • Chosen718
    December 31, 2009
    Chosen718
    Good film, great writing. Will Smith really became that character, he delivered such a great performance so early in his actor career.
  • SunilJawahir
    March 14, 2009
    SunilJawahir
    Pretty interesting. Will Smith first real acting role.
  • qtmemoe
    December 5, 2008
    qtmemoe
    Good early work by will smith.
  • johnattridge
    June 29, 2008
    johnattridge
    I'm not sure whether this film wants to be about art, or be considered a piece of art. The sophisticated editing, elegant score, intelligent script and insightful characters suggest the latter, but the film's final speech implies the message is actually about life-experience; art... read more is just a method of capturing a moment or an idea.

    'Six Degrees of Separation' is an odd title, alluding to the idea that one person can be connected to any other in the world through a chain of six people. Why the film is titled as such is ambiguous, but I'm guessing it's the formation of Stockard Channing's emotional connection to drifter / con-man Will Smith who, despite profound and lengthy conversation, remains a stranger to her.

    Will Smith is a surprise in a rather serious role, and Donald Sutherland is good as the wealthy art dealer, but Channing practically carries the film; her eyes and performance are more meaningful, the delivery of her dialogue more genuine and her manner sophisticated. In what could have been a weak-ending to a marvellous film, she pulls it off surprisingly close to perfection.

    Nearly the entire narrative appears to be told in flashback, but not as one story - the director dashes back and forth between an array of tales that connect remarkably well. I have never seen such a talky picture remain so compelling and intoxicating; it's like listening intently to a dinner-party conversation that has taken an unexpected route. In fact, that's more or less what it is.

    We learn how the upper class Kittredge's were duped into welcoming a stranger into their seemingly important lives; we learn how other members of the couple's social circle suffered the same fate; and how 'Paul' came to be the confused drifter he is. But most significantly we learn the dramatic impact his appearance had on Channing's Louisa, and how who you know moulds you as a person.

    So really the film is just a film and isn't really about art at all. It's about people, decisions, reality and delusion. Can you know a con-man? Is his persona all you need to know? I'm still not sure, but it leaves me wondering all the same.
  • kevsammal
    April 4, 2007
    kevsammal
    Will Smith portrays a role that you won't expect. I now realize that it's a movie for few. Don't expect a comedy, this film features an unexpected gay nude scene.

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Critic Reviews

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Ultimately, Six Degrees of Separation will succeed or fail for the individual viewer based on their expectations and preferences. Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

It's too clever by half, an inside joke aimed at the New York gentry. Full Review

Steve Persall
March 2, 2012
Steve Persall, Tampa Bay Times

A mystery wrapped inside an enigmatic nation, flawlessly acted and difficult to predict. I'm always impressed when a movie informs about a foreign culture while it entertains, and this one is powerful... Full Review

Emanuel Levy
February 7, 2007
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

A rare sight: a sharply observed Hollywood satire of poignant ideas, such as opportunities in life, achieving fame in American society, and how we all are in one way or another con men. Full Review

Dan Fienberg
September 8, 2005
Dan Fienberg, Zap2it.com

It walks like a play and talks like a play, but thanks to the gentle direction and the performances from the crack cast -- particularly Channing and a never-better Smith -- it's satisfying as a movie.

Fred Topel
August 13, 2003
Fred Topel, About.com

Will Smith's greatest performance. A compelling drama.

Ken Hanke
August 23, 2002
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

One of Fred Schepisi's best films

Chuck Rudolph
July 25, 2002
Chuck Rudolph, Matinee Magazine

Bitingly funny, with superb performances from Channing and Sutherland.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
May 25, 2001
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

A multidimensional drama fueled by a thought-provoking screenplay, tart comic energy, firecracker surprises, and a spiritually vibrant finale. Full Review

Chris Hicks
January 1, 2000
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City

There are those wonderful performances by the lead players - and especially Channing, who has been underused or misused most of her film career - and they make it fairly enjoyable entertainment. Full Review

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