Instead, the film weaved the narrative such that we are painted a portrait of New York socialite life, while also taking the time to give some social commentary (albeit a little on-the-nose).

What I appreciated most was how the film incorporated all of the characters, and weaved a story that connected all of them, yet not in an obvious or melodramatic way. The story itself is undeniably intriguing, however. Thus, the film never fully makes the transition from theater to film, many of the situations simply feel more at home in an art house, not a movie. To be sure, capturing the finer points of modern intellectual discourse is tricky, especially in a comedic format (perhaps they should have consulted with Woody Allen), but doing so properly is essential. The acting seems fine, but the lines the characters have to deliver never quite feel true. Six Degrees of Separation manages to give the script a cinematic flavor, changing up the scenes, keeping the story kinetic, but still has a stylistic and affected dialogue which is simply not befitting of a film drama. If done correctly, this can be work, but if done poorly, it can be a disaster. It's very talky, and completely dialogue-driven. That the film is based on a theatrical play is evident throughout. It's a very unique film, though not entirely successful. Six Degrees of Separation is one in a long line of 90s film adaptations of a stage play, centering around a young man, played by Will Smith, who enters the lives of two socialites, both confounding and informing the people he crosses paths with.

Six degrees of separation play review