MovieChat Forums > Six Degrees of Separation (1993) Discussion > My interpretation of the movie and Rick'...

My interpretation of the movie and Rick's suicide:

posted 15 years ago by weezebumble
6 replies | jump to latest

Just finished watching this and I really liked it.

Paul was trying to get a doorway into the lives of others and he achoeved this by feeling free to act how he liked and commanding/affecting situations, people and their lives. Rick learned of Paul's perspective during dinner (when he danced with Paul) and the subsequent park scene (where he had his first sexual encounter with a male).

When he got home, he wanted to share it with Elizabeth, but she rejected him and his story. She then mentioned that Rick was naive, just like his father***. Rick didn't seem to be able to handle this slight as well as the fact that Elizabeth wouldn't look at him afterwards. Rick had taken a leap of faith by confronting this new sexual experience and the feelings that it bought (excitement, freedom and nuance) but ultimately he didn't believe in this experience; nor himself. So he killed himself. Seemingly immediately, which I found to be very impactful.

I am open to any disagreement.... :)

***[Similarly, another character in the movie hated being likened to his father (the son of the doctor) and Even Ousia/Flans own children showed their rage at 'being born!'.]

Although Paul mocks Freudian theory (over dinner with Ouisa and Flan), the younger characters in the movie seem to show a lot of parent-related angst.

[–] AltaireIII 15 years ago

This film has an unforgettable ending. Stockard Channing did not need words after she had her encounter with her husband. Her face said it all.

As for Rick's suicide, given this was 1993 it was a fitting statement on homophobia. Rick felt shame about something he should not have felt shame about. Sadly the ridicule he endured was all too common then and now.

I know there are probably gay people who saw Rick's suicide as defamation. As a gay person I did not see it that way. His suicide was a reflection of attitudes that were around in 1993 and to some extent still are.

[–] IpsaThis 15 years ago

Homophobia aside, he did cheat on his girlfriend. I'm not saying he should have commit suicide over it, but that is a legitimate reason to feel shame.

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[–] socorso 9 years ago

I love this movie, and the ending is unforgettable. Thinking about it now, the soundtrack easily plays in my head. However….I've never fully understood it..! What will be Ouisa's future..?! Is she leaving Flan..? Has she LEFT Flan..?? The smile on her face seems somehow wrong.

Cold sober, I find myself absolutely fascinating.

[–] Green-Eyed-Girl31 9 years ago

Late reply to your comment, but after my numerous times of watching this film, I have to say, if I was Paul's gf, I couldn't have looked him in the eye either, after he confessed to his discretion.

That would be a lot to take. Eventually I would think I would be friends with him again, but the relationship was done right then. I still hate that Rick killed himself.

"You met me at a very strange time in my life"