‘Hoffa’ Premiere Aids Families

The scene: Premiere of “Hoffa” Friday night at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, followed by supper in a sound stage at 20th Century Fox. The beneficiaries were Tripod, which assists hearing-impaired children, and Para Los Ninos, a social service agency which helps homeless families.

Who was there: Jack Nicholson, who stars as the late Teamster leader Jimmy Hoffa; Danny DeVito, director and co-star; his wife, Rhea Perlman, and daughters Gracie and Lucy; Armand Assante; John C. Reilly; producers Edward Pressman and Caldecot Chubb, plus Nick Nolte, Peter Guber, Joel Silver, Ted Field, Richard Pearce, Michael Ovitz, Ron Meyer, Jim Belushi, Bert Fields, Catherine O’Hara (better known as Kevin’s mom in the “Home Alone” films), Jerry Bruckheimer, James Woods, Paul Mazursky and a “Cheers” contingent--producer James Burrows, John Ratzenberger and George Wendt.

Musical chairs: Attending, in addition to Fox’s current owner, Rupert Murdoch, and outgoing chairman, Joe Roth, were Fox’s past owner, Marvin Davis, and past presidents Alan Ladd Jr. and Larry Gordon.

Overheard: “Danny, if I had a water bomb I could get you,” said Sony Pictures chairman Peter Guber, who was standing on a balcony at the Academy directly above DeVito’s head.

The audience movie review: Mixed. One person praised Nicholson’s “mythic performance,” and others were absorbed in the “compelling history” of the labor movement. But many found it hard to follow and, clocking in at 2 1/2 hours, far too long and slow. “Why are movies so long now?” asked a non-”Hoffa” producer. “Why do all these directors have to prove to us how brilliant they are and make us sit there? What happened to the word pacing ?”

Quoted: “I think we’re pretty private people. We prefer to see movies with friends and the popcorn and not have to worry about it,” said Anna Murdoch, wife of Rupert, explaining why the couple rarely attends industry screenings.

Fashion statement: Producer Joel Silver’s faux-leopard jacket.

Gift bag: A “Hoffa” baseball cap and a toy truck.