Stockard Channing in Six Degrees of Separation — Page 2

goodlead said: "I saw that production -- superb in every respect. Fortunately Channing was cast in the movie version, and if you want to know whether it's legendary, you can watch it and judge for yourself."

Stockard wasn't just cast in the movie version of Six Degrees. John Guare had it stipulated that the movie would only be made if Stockard reprised the role of Ouisa. Good thing she did.



Also; I'm jealous you got to see it live! Ah, I was too young and poor to travel in those days (mostly poor).

The word was that Danner just didn't connect in the role and they were unhappy with how she was playing it. It seems like she'd have been a natural for it but for some reason it didn't work.

I can only echo the praise of Ms. Channing's performance in SIX DEGREES. She really was that good. I remember being disappointed in the film, which couldn't summon the cinematic equivalent of the energy happening on that stage. The film seemed rather earth-bound somehow.

So here's a question, for those who saw Ms. Channing live as Ouisa. One of my favorite things she did happened at the very end of the play ---

Roscoe said: "I can only echo the praise of Ms. Channing's performance in SIX DEGREES. She really was that good. I remember being disappointed in the film, which couldn't summon the cinematic equivalent of the energy happening on that stage. The film seemed rather earth-bound somehow."

I know what you mean. The play is simply a better and livelier as a theater work than as a movie. But I have to say I think Schepisi did a great job overall, and I count it as one of the underrated films out there. There a moments that a just great, like the brief closeups of Flan and Ouisa after Paul gives his "Catcher in the Rye" speech, where the difference between Flan's reaction and Ouisa's is so telling. And I like how he captures the quality of of the ending you described so well, but in a way that maybe suits a movie better than then original theatrical ending would. Anyway, I always just want to put in a good word for the movie. If nothing else, it gives us more Stockard Channing to watch.

Ditto ditto ditto

Channing, simply luminous. I wasn’t living in NYC at the time, but I purposefully flew back in a second time to see that performance. The towards the end face-off with Flan, and those ending moments, as goodas it gets.

I am fond of the film; thanks to John Guare for demanding Channing be cast.

Very very fond memories.

Updated On: 4/3/19 at 03:49 PM

There is no way to overstate the absolute perfect performance that Stockard Channing brought to Six Degrees of Separation. I saw it 3 times, and in my 40+ years of theatre going it still stands as the greatest performance by an actress on stage that I have ever had the pleasure to watch.

Maybe the film does not engage quite as much because the play has the direct address effect that totally draws in the audience.

I still think the movie is a classy product though.

Jarethan said: "LarryD2 said: "Roscoe -- I remember the moment you describe vividly. And to me it captures one of the essential elements of Channing's performance: the effortless subtlety she brought to the role, something I've yet to see anyone who's played it since achieve. There were no big, grand gestures or tricks in her characterization. It felt entirely real, and she really seemed of the world Guare was creating.

In contrast, Allison Janney -- who I thought looked like a million bucks, with great costumes and wigs -- totally seemed crass and overstated from the very beginning of her performance."

To me, Allison Janney is a highly acclaimed actress who all too often just playsherself, tall, loud, articulate, slightly larger than life(rare exception: American Beauty, in which she was outstanding). I don't think she is capable of subtlety, which the role required IMO."

I thought it was only me. I do like her, she can be outrageously funny (see Drop Dead Gorgeous for an example), but I couldn't imagine her as Ouisa and it closed before I could get past that.