For Film With a Twist, a Premiere by the Book

Glamorous stars posing prettily for the photographers. That’s one good old-fashioned Hollywood staple that still draws a crowd, and William Baldwin, Kelly Lynch and Sherilyn Fenn fit the bill.

Their movie, “Three of Hearts,” which puts an au courant twist on the eternal triangle, may have changed the conventions of romance with its boy-loves-girl-loved-by-girl entanglement, but its premiere broke no traditions.

The stars came out; their lovers, families and friends provided enthusiastic congratulations; the media clamored for those photo opportunities; there was food, gossip and a charity benefit.

Project Angel Food hosted the screening of the New Line Cinema romance at the Directors Guild of America, raising almost $35,000 for support services, including meal delivery, for people with AIDS.

“Some of us have time and no money, some money and no time, but the important thing is we found a way to give,” said David Kessler, president of the organization, thanking the audience before the screening--which started late because of “the just-one-more-please” demands of the press corps.

After the screening the crowd hung out in the DGA lobby trying to figure out whether the film’s ending was more satisfying for straights or gays and working out which items on the buffet table went with which.

“This looks like an edible Dixie cup; what do I put in it?” queried one cautious eater, while another wanted someone else to test the smoked salmon first “in case it’s too greasy.” Lynch and Fenn both wore long gowns, but most of the crowd looked dressed for the office--although perhaps not the guy wearing see-through lace.

Other guests included Baldwin’s brother Daniel, Christian Slater with girlfriend Nina Huang, Lara Flynn Boyle and David Barry Gray, who arrived late from the set of “Cops and Robbersons” where he’s trying not to be upstaged by Jack Palance.

The filmmakers--who’d done a bicoastal dash from Tuesday night’s New York premiere--included executive producer David Permut, director Yurek Bogayevicz and Lynch’s husband, screenwriter Mitch Glazer. Also working the room were Project Angel Food directors Chantal Westerman, Berry Berenson Perkins and Howard Rosenman, the ever-trendy Hollywood producer who in November had touted this movie to his favorite charity for the fund-raiser.