Six Degrees Of Separation (1993)

Six Degrees Of Separation is the 1993 drama built from John Guare's stage play, tracing the ripple effects of a young con man who talks his way into the lives of a wealthy Manhattan couple by claiming ties to their children and to Sidney Poitier. The film's exploration of identity and deception gave Will Smith one of his earliest dramatic showcases, well before his blockbuster years, and he appears here in a rawer, more vulnerable register than audiences were used to seeing from him. Lou Milione also features among the cast, rounding out a story that mixes sharp social commentary with intimate character work. The hub carries 2 scenes pulled from the film, including footage that catches Smith bare and exposed in a way that underscores just how far he was willing to push himself as a young actor. Fans digging into his back catalog will find this one worth a closer look.