Six Degrees of Separation

Six Degrees of Separation is a captivating and intelligent comedy-drama film released in 1993, directed by Fred Schepisi. The film stars Will Smith, Stockard Channing, and Donald Sutherland in the lead roles; a talented trio that offers potent performances and invigorates the plot with compelling characterizations.

The movie derives its name from the sociological theory proposed by Frigyes Karinthy, that posits everyone is six or fewer steps away from any other person in the world, so that a chain of "a friend of a friend" statements can be made to connect any two people in a maximum of six steps. This theme forms the central crux of the film, which intrigues viewers with its unique premise and unusually thought-provoking dialogue.

At the heart of the story is a wealthy, high-society couple Ouisa (Stockard Channing) and Flan Kittredge (Donald Sutherland) living in Manhattan. They find their daily routine disrupted by a stranger, a young African-American man named Paul (Will Smith). The couple find themselves caught in an unusual tale spun by the articulate and charismatic Paul, who claims to be the son of Sidney Poitier and a friend of their children at Harvard.

Will Smith is outstanding in his role as Paul, and delivers a captivating performance. His character is eloquent, sophisticated, charming, and cunning, all at the same time, and Smith plays his part with a flair that draws in the audience. As a con artist, he skillfully navigates through high society, leaving a trail of deception in his wake.

Stockard Channing's portrayal of Ouisa is stellar, fleshing out her character convincingly. Ouisa is refined, cultured, but also deeply introspective, struggling with existential questions that the movie skillfully raises. The rapport between the couple, their disbelief in Paul's story, and their struggle to come to terms with reality magnificently depict the chaos ensuing from the charade.

Donald Sutherland, as Flan, delivers a strong portrayal of a man who is initially sucked into Paul's tale before suspecting something is amiss. His character's evolution across the film shows him questioning his own values and beliefs. The complexity and depth that Sutherland brings to his character contribute significantly to the movie's dramatic tension.

The film is not just a tale of a cunning con-artist fooling wealthy New Yorkers. At a deeper level, it explores themes related to class, race, materialism, art, and the human yearning for connections. The script, adapted from John Guare's award-winning 1990 play, is a finely tuned instrument that drives the story towards these lofty explorations. Even as it does so, the narrative retains its elements of humor and satire, making profound observations on contemporary society.

Devotedly helmed by Fred Schepisi, Six Degrees of Separation explores various aspects of human nature and social dynamics. He strikingly uses the narrative, characters, and sequences to create captivating mise-en-scenes, with Manhattan as an appealing backdrop that adds a rich layer of visual aesthetics. The story unfolds through flashbacks and multiple points of view, infusing a unique narrative complexity into the film. The dramatic tension and intrigue keeps the audience engaged, while subtly prompting them to ponder the film's larger philosophical themes.

In conclusion, Six Degrees of Separation is a riveting cinematic experience that owes its allure to its insightful screenplay, sharp dialogues, potent performances, and a uniquely compelling narrative centred on social realities. It is much more than a tale of deception or the literal representation of the six degrees theory. It is, in essence, a fascinating study of human connections and value systems, of pretense and authenticity, and of the human condition as a whole in contemporary society.