In this film a gay black con artist cunningly maneuvers his way into the lives of a white, upper-class NYC family. Flan (Donald Sutherland) and Louisa "Ouisa" Kittredge (Stockard Channing) are rich art dealers. One night they are called on by a wounded young man Paul (Will Smith), who claims to be a friend of their son and daughter from Harvard. Paul says he was mugged in Central Park and is the son of Sidney Poitier. Over the evening Paul flatters the couple and a business guest they are hosting with his tall tales and fascinating life stories. He claims that his famous father is casting a film version of "Cats" and offers his hosts roles as extras in the film. They offer him a bed for the night, and he enchants them with a home-cooked meal and eloquent conversation. The next morning, they find that Paul is not who he claims to be. When they investigate the life of Paul, they find the hidden truth. Their investigations are intriguing and lead them to re-evaluate their lives. The plot is notable for the disparity it reveals between the wealthy and the have-nots yearning to be rich. It is interesting that it is the gay member of the cast who serves as the crossover person. The end concludes on a comic rather than tragic note.
Six degrees of separation refers to the idea that, if a person is one step away from each person they know and two steps away from each person who is known by one of the people they know, then everyone is an average of six steps away from each person on Earth. Sutherland, Channing, and Smith deliver excellent performances in a great movie. John Guare wrote the screenplay from his hit Broadway stage play. Fred Schelpisi directed.
