iF Rating: 7/13

Director: Fred Schepisi

Runtime: 107 min

Certification: (15)

Tagline: For Paul, every person is a new door to a new world.

Title: Six Degrees of Separation

Release Date: 8 December 1993

Writer: John Guare

Production: MGM

Buy from: Amazon.com

Info: 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 a consummate con-artist like Paul (Will Smith). One night, he mysteriously shows up at their front door–injured and bleeding–claiming to be Sidney Poitier’s son and a close college crony 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 facade is so charmingly persuasive, Paul soon has the Kittredges loaning 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.
This film version of John Guare’s highly successful stage play features remarkable ensemble acting and incredibly witty dialogue with an insider’s ear for the excesses and delights of upper crust Manhattan.