A con man's lie became a high-society obsession in this sharp 1993 comedy-drama
In short: Inspired by the real-life deception of David Hampton, who famously posed as Sidney Poitier's son, this film explores how a charismatic stranger can infiltrate the lives of the elite. It reveals the vulnerability of the wealthy, proving that even the most sophisticated socialites can be seduced by a well-crafted lie.
Directed by Fred Schepisi and released in 1993, Six Degrees of Separation is a film adaptation of John Guare’s 1990 play. The narrative centers on Ouisa and Flan Kittredge, a wealthy Fifth Avenue couple who pride themselves on their art-world connections and Ivy League children. Their carefully curated existence is disrupted when a young man named Paul appears at their door, bleeding and claiming to be a college friend of their children and the son of actor Sidney Poitier. The Kittredges are initially captivated by Paul’s wit, culinary talent, and intellectual charm, only to discover later that he is a serial con artist who has exploited numerous Upper East Side households.
The film’s premise is rooted in the true story of David Hampton, who in October 1983 gained entry to the New York apartment of Inger and Osborn Elliott by posing as Poitier’s son. After the Elliotts discovered Hampton in bed with another man the following morning, they contacted the police. The incident eventually reached their friend John Guare, who transformed the encounter into a broader meditation on social status and human connection. While the film features a notable performance by Will Smith, production was not without tension; Smith famously refused to perform a kissing scene with a male co-star, requiring the use of a stand-in.
Critical reception for the film has been largely positive, with an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have praised the direction and the performances, particularly that of Stockard Channing, who received both an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in 1994. Beyond the surface-level deception, the film examines how Paul’s presence acts as a catalyst for the characters, turning his schemes into cocktail party anecdotes that ultimately link his victims through a shared, unsettling experience. It remains a study of how the desire for status can blind individuals to the reality of those they invite into their homes.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Six Degrees of Separation (film)
- Also: Six Degrees of Separation
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