Six Degrees of Separation

Six Degrees of Separation was one of Will Smith's first movie roles, and certainly the one that helped him make the jump from rap star pretty boy to serious actor.  It was a good choice on his part.  He plays a young con artist in Manhattan who enchants a socialite copule.   An amazing supporting cast including Stockard Channing, Donald Sutherland, and Ian McKellen.  What makes this movie one of my favorites is the writing.  It's written by the playwright John Guare, and it still has the snappy feel of the stage play.   I hear that some people aren't into that sort of thing; the dialog is unnatural, but in a good way.  Like in Angels in America, another of my oh-so-favorite play-to-movie remakes, every word seems perfectly chosen and artfully directed.  It's a  lovely thing, a testimony to the power of language.  The acting is all great, but Stockard Channing, who is always a favorite of mine, really sparkles in this.