It Was an Evening of Firsts for Many

The Scene: You could say Tuesday night was Kevin’s night. Absent major studio hype, plenty of celebs and other entertainment biz heavies turned out at Mann’s Bruin in Westwood to see the premiere of actor Kevin Spacey’s directorial debut, “Albino Alligator,” a taut, eccentric hostage drama starring Matt Dillon, Faye Dunaway, Gary Sinise, William Fichtner and Joe Mantegna. Before the film, there was some (thankfully brief) speechifying in which Spacey informed the crowd of more than 800 that there were other virgin screen credits on the film, including that for first-time screenwriter Christian Forte. Even his agent, Spacey said, had only six months’ experience when he closed the deal. After the screening, the partyers and well-wishers made their way down the block to a reception at Jerry’s Famous Deli.

Who Was There: Attending from the film were Spacey, who strolled down the carpet with his date, Julia Roberts; Dillon (with Cameron Diaz); Fichtner; Viggo Mortensen and Forte, who brought his father, that singing heartthrob of yesteryear, Fabian. Also pleased to be counted as FOKs (Friends of Kevin) were Minnie Driver, Cuba Gooding Jr., Andy Garcia, Sharon Stone, Luke Perry, Linda Fiorentino, Patrick Dempsey, Rosanna Arquette, Mario Van Peebles, Crispin Glover, Virginia Madsen, Scott Wolf, “The English Patient” director Anthony Minghella and Red Hot Chili Peppers Anthony Kiedis and Flea.

Style Alarm: What’s up with the partial blond dye jobs, gents? Both Spacey and Dillon sported dos that featured a patina of blond with clearly visible darker strands below. Coincidence? More likely, it’s the genesis of a trend.

Kudos: No one heard a discouraging word about “Albino Alligator” at this event. Highest praise came from Fiorentino, who not only called Spacey “one of the geniuses of our generation,” but drove home her point by adding, “It takes a lot to pull me away from Direct TV.”

Quoted: “I think that there’s nothing more satisfying in the world that being able to have confidence in someone who hasn’t necessarily had an opportunity to do something,” Spacey said. “Everybody has to get a start somewhere. Being able to cast people I have known since I was in high school and giving jobs to people who I felt had the right sensibility is very satisfying because it makes the whole experience feel like I’m with family.”