Six Degrees of Separation

Six Degrees of Separation is an unconventional and intelligent comedy-drama about the middle-aged art-dealer couple Ouisa and Flan Kittredge, who one evening receive a visit from an unknown guest, the urbane and charming Paul, who tells them he has been robbed, so now he has neither food nor shelter. Paul further says that he is a friend of the couple's two college-going children. Most interesting of all, Paul is to meet his father, Sidney Poitier, the next day. That evening Paul cooks for Ouisa and Flan and the couple's guest, Geoffrey, with whom Flan succeeds in making an important deal. Out of gratitude Paul is given a bed for the night, food and pocket money.

That Paul is not who he claims to be becomes apparent to Ouisa when, the next morning, she finds a naked young man with Paul. Paul and his bedfellow are chased out in double-quick time. Later it turns out that Paul has lied about almost everything. On top of that, the swindle has also affected Ouisa and Flan's friends. Ouisa and Flan react quite differently, however. Flan wants Paul in prison, while Ouisa feels she has found a soulmate. The drama ends on a despondent note that does not quite fit the rest of the film.

The film distinguishes itself above all by its complex narrative form, which jumps around in time and place with the sound as the binding element.