Identification of One’s Self

In the opening lines of Fred Schepisi’s 1993 film, “Six Degrees of Separation”, Ouisa Kittredge states, “I read somewhere that everybody on this planet is separated by only six other people. Six degrees of separation.” This refers to the theory that each person is separated from another person by no more than six people. This theory will turn out to play a major role in the plot of the film. The entertaining and flashy movie was filled with “chaos and control”, which is respectively referred to Wassily Kandinsky’s paintings, “Black Lines” and “Several Circles”. The chaos begins with Ouisa and Flan Kittredge, two New York City socialites, who live in a lavish Fifth Avenue apartment, welcome a young African American man named Paul, who claims to be Sidney Poitier’s son, into their apartment. Little do the Kittredges know, Paul will eventually contribute to the theory that everyone is separated by only six other people. New, unusual experiences can instantly change one’s self and in return, prompt the person of re-evaluating their life and their identity that separated them from all other’s. When the ambiance-filled movie begins, the audience instantly sees the production design that gave the film a sophisticated look. The Kittredges are soaked up in their social life and do not realize that their life that many dream of could change in an instant. The couple is getting ready to have a business dinner with Geoffrey Miller, a South African client. Their life begins to change when an injured, desperate visitor shows up at their door. The uninvited guest is Paul, who claims he is friends with the Kittredges’ children, who attend Ivy League schools. The Kittredges are unaware of the material that Paul has studied in the past months, for instance: how to pronounce “a bottle of beer”, as well as an in depth summary of “The Catcher in the Rye”. The potential he has to make them question their identities, as well as his, comes as a shock. After a night of Paul proving to be an outstanding chef with an extremely charming personality, the couple allows him to stay overnight and gladly offer cash to help him out. Paul betrays the couple in their own home by allowing a male prostitute and leads the couple to believe that he is not who he claims to be. As they thoroughly re-evaluate their life, they begin to investigate the life of Paul and find the hidden truth about the imposter. Throughout the movie, the audience watches Paul become increasingly absorbed by the role he is trying to persuade the Kittredges and Carlisles with. He unfortunately becomes the person he claims to be. After each person falls into his trap of lies, Paul becomes too self-possessed with the imaginary lifestyle that he was taught to become adapted to. He causes an unfortunate suicide in New York City, leaving the victim’s girlfriend filled with anger and hatred towards Paul. Paul begins to notice and feel the impact that he left on these six people and their families.
The children of the Kittredges and the Carlisles were shocked when they discovered their parent’s actions by allowing a gay con artist into their home. From the beginning of the movie, the audience got a first hand look at the background that these two families lived. They were placed in different scenes, like a prestigious art museum, fancy wedding reception, and five star restaurants. From looking at the families in these settings, the audience perceived them as stuck up and exclusive. They believed the last thing that their parent’s would take part in was opening their home to strangers. One can think they know a person perfectly, but there is always a chance that the person can turn out to be the complete opposite.
As the Kittredges begin to help the local police track down Paul, Ouisa begins to feel sorry for him and wants to help him out. The audience begins to see a shift in her character. In the beginning of the film, she put on a strong front with her husband. After seeing the outcome of her children’s attitudes towards their parents and Paul and noticing the ways Paul has been effected by the situation he caused, her character slowly began slipping away from her once identity and true self.
Many scenarios in life can alter the full understanding of one’s self. The major factor that altered Ouisa acknowledging her own identity was Paul. On the night where the climax of the story takes place, Ouisa is standing with Flan in their living room, when the phone rings. It turned out to be Paul, who called the Kittredges for assistance. Flan wants to know where he is and any other details in order to turn him in to the police. As Flan leaves the room to get ready for dinner, Ouisa begins to act like a mother to Paul. She begins to tell him that she will take him to the police station so that she can be with him while he turns himself in. He then asks if once he gets out of jail, she and her husband allow him to stay at their apartment for a little bit and help him financially. She gladly agrees, as if it was her own child asking for help. Flan walks back into the room and is outraged when he overhears this phone conversation between the two. His attitude, unlike Ouisa’s, has remained the same as he demands Ouisa to tell Paul that they will never speak again and no help will be received down the road. This scene in the movie illustrates the differences in Ouisa and Flan’s characters and personalities toward Paul. It is easy to believe that when Flan and Ouisa married, Ouisa thought she knew everything about Flan and trusted him in life. After the scenario in the living room, Ouisa finds herself questioning the man she thought she knew and his identity. One can think they know their significant other, family member, or friend, but sometimes it turns out people can change throughout life and this supports the idea that some may never fully understand themselves.
This movie is a perfect example of the title “Six Degrees of Separation”. Little did the Kittredges know that Paul would make an impact in their life and link them and four other people together in an unlikely manner. Each person involved in the crime realized how small New York City actually is. The Carlisles could be strangers to the Kittredges, but instead, they are involved in the same social circle. This example acts as a puzzle piece that is individually pieced together to other examples of ways individuals are separated from each other by six people and in the end, makes a complete puzzle.
In order to understand one’s own identity, one must acknowledge their surroundings. These surroundings may include the people they associate with, their interests in society, religious beliefs, educational background, racial identity, and many more factors that can contribute to understanding who one is. No matter how far away you live from your closest neighbor, they could still contribute to your “six degrees of separation” and manage to open your eyes and see another part of life that you would have never opened up to, or let yourself see. For Ouisa Kittredge, she lived the high life in New York City and socialized whenever and wherever she could with her husband. They only affiliated with and cared about their own social group. All of this was true until Paul Poitier changed her life. She noticed his insecurities and immediately felt a motherly connection to him, even though he betrayed her, her family, and her friends. Ouisa thought she was old and wise enough to already understand herself and her actions, but Paul changed that perspective. Even though Paul changed Ouisa, he could not change himself. He led a life that was not true to himself and the others he affected. He got caught up in the life that he wanted to have and could never find his true self. This movie is a great example of how someone or something can impact a person’s life enough to change their identity and thoughts about the society they live in.