Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13169 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-09-22
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 107 minutes

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 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.

Customer Reviews

Weirdly entertaining
I watched this unusual film on television last night. I was shattered and falling asleep, but as soon as it started I was absolutely riveted from start to finish. Apparently this was Will Smith's first major film and he is an absloute joy.

The film rotates around an anecdotal tale being told by a well-off art-dealing couple. Their home is invaded by an imposter in the form of Will Smith, who manages to charm his way into their lives. It's difficult to talk about the storyline without giving much away, there are constant twists and turns and one is never quite sure where the story is headed.

It is easy to tell that this film was originally a play by the sheer amount of dialogue. Stockard Channing (Rizzo from Grease) plays an amazing part as a frustrated mother, and Donald Sutherland has his usual understated charm and charisma.

Ultimately this was a completely infuriating, intellectually demanding but immensely rewarding film. Sadly it does not transport as well into film from stage as it could have, and because of this I would advise more than one watching to truly understand the many metaphorical layers and sub-themes. But really, if you like being challenged by a film, this is one well worth the efffort.

i love this,such great film making
six degrees of seperation is a 1993 film adapted from the stage play of the same name and stars will smith,don sutherland the brilliant stockard channing who starred in the stage play version as well.
The film works on the idea that everyone in the world can be connected to anyone else in the world via six other people,but thats just a footnote as the film also deals with will smiths character who is a gay conman who convinces rich people that he is the son of sidney poitier and gains their trust and then takes what he can and flees.While visiting the home of channing and sutherland and gaining their trust by saying he was stabbed in central park and is also a friend of their children,he starts to affect the married couple and shake all that they know and believe.
The performances here are sensational and ian kellen alos livens proceedings,the film has aa charm of its own and is simply sublime,seldom will you see anything as profound as this,blinding.

Perfectly executed trifle
This film is, how should one put it, an elegant and eloquent trifle, full of the verbal fripperies and embellishments that come with wealth and influence, but ultimately leaving an empty experience for all concerned. It's a tale of how easily a conman can take in people by adopting their mannerisms and lifestyle, to be come as it were "one of us." All you need is a little research, to be a skilled mimic and weave a spell with your words. Ah, but the rub is that the victims can then dine out for months on such a tale. To be self-deprecating in telling how you were deceived is to win over a fresh audience for the deception. So - a moral tale on how the mighty are never fallen for long!

This succeeds where many might have failed by virtue of a truly outstanding ensemble cast and the masterful direction of Fred Schepisi, whose serious work I have admired for some time (Plenty, Last Orders, A Cry in the Dark etc - try to ignore the romcoms!) His ability to inspire sublime performances from actors who might easily have gone through the motions (Sutherland, Channing etc.) and those who might have been awed and diffident in such exalted company (Smith) sets this film apart. That and a very convincing Fifth Avenue apartment set.

Wonder if Sidney Poitier was consulted beforehand...?!