SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION
A film review by Michael John Legeros
Copyright 1994 Michael John Legeros
Directed by Fred Schepisi Written by John Guare, based on his play Starring Stockard Channing, Will Smith, and Donald Sutherland MPAA Rating "R" Running Time 111 minutes
---
"It's such a treat to eat at home."
- Stockard Channing
Sturdy filmmaker Fred Schepisi follows up his delightful MR. BASEBALL with the equally enjoyable SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION. Though so-so as social commentary, this is cunning comedy when it works. Which is most of the time.
SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION is based on the award-winning stage play, which, in turn, is based on the real-life story of a young man who conned several members of New York City's "upper echelon" by posing as the son of a famous actor.
The film opens on Flan and Ouisa Kittredge (Sutherland and Channing), a posh Fifth Avenue couple with an incredible story to tell (via flashback). The night before, a wounded young black man, Paul (Smith), arrives at their door. He claims to know their children at Harvard. He also claims to be the son of Sidney Poiter (!).
To the insulated couple, he certainly looks and sounds the part. He says he's in town to make a film of "Cats." He say he's in charge of hiring extras. And he says he was mugged and his thesis--on CATCHER IN THE RYE as a hate doctrine (!)--was stolen.
Soon, Paul's poise and charm has his hosts hanging on his every word. And, after serving them up a spectacular meal, the couple insists that he stay the night. Which leads to disaster on the morning-after. Paul is kicked out, the flashback ends, and the Kittredges become the talk of the town....
The first 45 minutes of SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION is brash, unpredictable fun. The dialogue is a stitch, the pace is lively, and the gullibility of Fran and Ouisa radiates like sunshine. Watching Paul worm his way into the controlled lives of the Kittredges is classic comedy. But it ends when the flashback does.
Once the con is gone, the film deflates a bit. The plot becomes more conventionally paced as everyone struggles to understand the hows and whys of what happened to them. Comedy takes a breather as social commentary rears its ugly head. The whole things goes on twenty minutes too long and wraps with an embarrassingly literal finale.
SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION strives for the subtlety of Woody Allen. But even with all the high-brow humor, this is really just pop comedy with class.
That said, there's a ton to enjoy in this film. Great gags, great lines, and a cast that's perfect. Sutherland is droll fun, playing comedy for the first time in who knows when. Channing is wide-eyed and wide-open and the real anchor of the film. She's Oscar-nomination good, even when saddled with an awful closing speech.
Then there's Smith. The young actor/rapper continues his upward spiral as a rising talent. He shows a nice range of emotions in the film's most dimensional role. And watch the supporting cast for a surprise turn from former John Hughes habit Anthony Michael Hall.
Though seemingly a "light" comedy, SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION does a boast a strong sexual content that may surprise some viewers. But, after all, it *is* New York. -:)
Bottom line: SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION is two-thirds comedy and
one-third commentary. The former is much funnier than
the languid latter in this engaging story about a young
con man who wormed his way into the life of a posh New
York City couple.
Grade: B+
.
The review above was posted to the
rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup (de.rec.film.kritiken for German reviews).
The Internet Movie Database accepts no responsibility for the contents of the
review and has no editorial control. Unless stated otherwise, the copyright
belongs to the author.
Please direct comments/criticisms of the review to relevant newsgroups.
Broken URLs inthe reviews are the responsibility of the author.
The formatting of the review is likely to differ from the original due
to ASCII to HTML conversion.
Related links: index of all rec.arts.movies.reviews reviews