“There is a screenplay which I think is remarkable because it actually preserves, and in fact enhances, the T.S.
#Movie six degrees of separation movie#
He wasn’t at the “Six Degrees” opening, but he talked about the prospect of a “Cats” movie in a recent interview with Variety. Is a “Cats” movie even a possibility? Andrew Lloyd Webber, the ultra-successful composer who created the show (and who currently has four productions running on Broadway), has the answer.
“ Wasn’t he the rock ‘n’ roll cat? Rum Tum Tugger? Of course I want to play the rock ‘n’ roll cat.” “What role did Terry Mann play?” Hickey asked, referring to Terrence Mann, who starred in the original production. “I think I’d want to be the pilot of the ship that goes to kitty-cat heaven,” suggested playwright Guare. “One hundred percent Grizabella,” Cullman said without hesitation. “Grizabella! I’ve never seen the show, but I do know that.” Hawkins will have to fight over the Glamour Cat with his “Six Degrees” director, Trip Cullman, who’s also got his eye on the role. “ I forget her name, but I want to sing ‘Memory,'” he said with a laugh. "Six Degrees of Separation" - the title refers to the claim by Ouisa that everyone in the world is separated by no more than six people - is rated R, primarily for language, with some violence, nudity and offscreen sex.Hawkins hasn’t seen it either, but he’s already got his part picked out. Still, there are those wonderful performances by the lead players - and especially Channing, who has been underused or misused most of her film career - and they make it fairly enjoyable entertainment. Unfortunately, this latter element is not fleshed out very well, and ultimately, the film seems like a pop-psychology theatrical conceit. Most of these characters are not particularly sympathetic, with the possible exceptions of Ouisa and Paul, who develop an oddly affectionate relationship. The police don't want to intervene since there was no crime committed, and though the Kittredges look upon the incident as high adventure, their spoiled children see it as yet further proof that Ouisa and Flan are out-of-touch hypocrites. And to their surprise, they learn that their friends have also had an encounter with Paul - very similar to their own. We see all of this in flashback form, as they relate the story to their friends. Paul claims to be the son of Sidney Poitier - and he even offers to get the Kittredges roles as extras in his father's new movie version of the musical "Cats."Įventually, of course, Ouisa and Flan tip to the idea that they've been had - when Paul makes the mistake of picking up a gay lover and bringing him to their home. The Kittredges see to his wound, and in return, Paul fixes them a fancy dinner, regaling them with stories of his life in Hollywood. Claiming to be a college friend of their children, Paul explains that he was mugged across the street in Central Park. So, when Paul, a young black man (Will Smith), shows up bleeding on their doorstep, they take him in immediately. This adaptation by John Guare of his award-winning play boasts some witty moments and is well-directed by Fred Schepisi ("A Cry in the Dark," "The Russia House"), but it would never work without the right players in the three lead roles.įortunately, Donald Sutherland, Will Smith and especially Stockard Channing (reprising her Broadway character) are more than up to the task, giving a real boost to what is otherwise a rather simplistic yarn.Ĭhanning and Sutherland are Ouisa and Flan Kittredge, a wealthy couple living in a Fifth Avenue apartment in New York City, where they fancy themselves liberals and the elite of their uppercrust social circle. With "Six Degrees of Separation," the performances are the thing.