Six Degrees of Separation (1993)

My Review

“I read somewhere that everybody on this planet is separated by only six other people. Six degrees of separation, between us and everyone else on this planet, the President of the United States, a gondolier in Venice, fill in the names…”

And so Stockard Channing’s character Louisa Kittredge in “Six Degrees of Separation” tries to figure out how a con man (played by Will Smith) knew enough details about her family to make his way into their good graces and into their home. This exquisitely crafted story was superbly handled by producer-director Fred Schepisi (“Mr. Baseball” 1992) and screenwriter John Guare, adapted from his own Broadway play.

Stockard Channing is at the heart of the film, reprising the role of the society matron she held in the stage play. She was nominated for a Tony and an Oscar, and won the Golden Globe. This is her most noted performance since playing Betty Rizzo in “Grease” back in 1978. This was an early role for Will Smith; his career took off after this appearance. Co-stars include Donald Sutherland, Ian McKellen, Mary Beth Hurt, Heather Graham, Bruce Davison, Richard Masur, Eric Thal, Anthony Michael Hall, Daniel von Barge, Kelly Bishop, Anthony Rapp, Oz Perkins, J. J. Abrams, Cleo King, and Kitty Carlisle as Mrs. Bannister.

Unfortunately, the very watchable “Six Degrees of Separation” was not a big hit at the box office for Maiden Movies, New Regency, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Stockard Channing received the film’s sole Oscar nomination for Best Actress. It was filmed on Manhattan Island in New York City, New York.