Six Degrees Of Separation [DVD]

Stellar dialog, incredible character development, magnificent production value. Certainly, it gets bogged down in the intellectual quagmire of surrealism, but that's just part of its character. I first saw this film perhaps 25 years ago and am just seeing it again now for the benefit of my new love. Simply tragic that it's so poorly rated here, no doubt a reflection of a culture that values random blurs of action and trite cliches over insights into the human experience.

I saw this film last night for the second time. The first was many years ago when it was released in the theatres. Loved it as much this time as I did the first. The movie is superbly acted, scripted, costumed, and believable. Its excitement, for me, never lets up.The title is derived from the idea, a philosophy developed in the early 1900's by someone whose name I do not remember, that only six individuals separate us from meeting any human being in the world. We only need to know which ones. Therein lies the "trick." The two main characters function in an upper middle class ambience of NYC cafe society. They reside across Central Park in one of the precious buildings with a view, have sent their children to highly selective Eastern boarding schools, and now to Harvard. The husband, Donald Sutherland, is a private art dealer, and his wife, Stockard Channing, supports his endeavours of selling very expensive pieces from their apartment. A stranger, a young man, comes into their lives, and changes it forever. To write more would be to become a plot "spoiler." It has been criticized as being very "talky" and precious, but therein, for me lies its attraction. The talk is fascinating. This is no boring, IMO, hard to watch "My Dinner with Andre." You know that Stockard Channing, the wife, will never be the same complacent individual. The Will Smith character has changed her forever.

Doesn't hold up well but for production design by Patrizia von Brandenstein. Stage play suffered from almost no set whereas this picture directed by Fred Schepisi comes off very Herbert Ross. Heather Graham, Richard Mazur and even the late Kitty Carlisle Hart but the piece belongs to Ouisa, Stockard Channing who seems much more at home here on Park Avenue than she did as a 30 year old teenager in Grease. Will Smith unconvincing.

This is a fantastic DVD. The story line is complex so it is best to watch this movie at least 5 times - otherwise you miss 'stuff'. This movie is what I like to refer to as 'truth'.

Interesting, thought provoking,. As usual, the description that Amazon gives is off the wall - bears little resemblance to the actual film. If people get paid to write these descriptions they are pathological liars, like .... well, don't want to give the story away.

Wasn't able to watch this due to not having the correct technology. Major bummer and a waste of money.

It was a weird movie. I only watched it once, I might like it better the more I watch it and understand it. I bought it for Will Smith, as I like his acting. Kind of a messed up story line.

No subtitles so didn’t bother watching the movie. My bad I didn’t read the details.

Stockard Channing brings real class to this film, and towards the end seems to get more and more stylish as the emotional temperature rises ... She plays Ouisa Kittredge, who works with her husband Flan (Donald Sutherland) as a New York art dealer, sealing deals for millions, with a flat overlooking Central Park. Into their lives bursts a young man - Paul - saying he has just been mugged, who spins them a yarn that has them and their guest (and the viewer) eating his every word, as well as a gourmet meal he throws together for them. The film sounds an original note, and has a dizzying plot that certainly holds the interest and is a lot of fun. The tone is vaguely satirical, but not too much - certainly the life of privilege is shown to be somewhat self-regarding, which Ouisa unconsciously wants to reject ... A clue to this is her brattish children, who, along with their friends' children, are the epitome of spoilt, obnoxious offspring who have been given everything and turn out badly. The scenes with them do grate, but the film is certainly worth sticking with. Paul, brilliantly and sexily played by Will Smith, is dynamite in this world, but stretches sympathy about as far as it can go ... A young hand-to-mouth couple from Utah feature all too briefly, charmingly played by Heather Graham and Eric Thal. They introduce a quite different note, although by this time the hugely imaginative story has you reeling in any case. The final twenty minutes do get to something quite rare and remarkable, much of it on the phone ... It takes a time to get there, but the pathos does kick in eventually, posing myriad questions about life as it does so, but somehow held off like a mirage.

I'd often seen this film in the TV listings with a good rating, but never got round to watching/recording it, usually because it was on so late (start time around midnight). So in the end I decided to just buy it on DVD... and I'm very glad I did!This is a brilliantly written and wonderfully acted film. It sees Will Smith in his earlier acting days, before he became a Hollywood superstar and therefore could draw massive audiences whatever the quality of the film... which is probably why this film is still such an unknown. And therefore this film allows him freedom to act as he wishes, without the expectations of the red carpet.There's also fantastic work from Donald Sutherland and Stockard Channing in the other leading roles, plus great supporting roles from the likes of Ian McKellen. But enough from me... If you're any kind of a film fan, you shouldn't waste any more time and should go and buy this film!

Will is quite young and despite still in the midst of honing his acting skills gives a really quite enjoyable performance. I found the plot intriguing and refreshingly eye opening. I just thoroughly enjoyed this film full stop. Not really a blockbuster type - go for Legend or others if thats what you like.As for other 2 main characters-giants amongst actors Donald Sutherland and Stockard Channing are a class act.Watch it!

Just what I wanted. Good film, just the kind I like.

great editing and imaginative way to tell a good script, hooks you in from the start. All actors were brill and even though it is clearly based on a stage play, the editing it very clever.