While the rest of New York was fearful of the buzz of mosquitoes carrying the encephalitis virus, the only buzz one could hear Monday night at DreamWorks' "American Beauty" premiere was of Oscar.
Asked what it felt like to have even Steven Spielberg call "American Beauty" one of the best films he has seen in years, director Sam Mendes said, "I feel terrible about it. It's very flattering, but I don't want people's expectations built up too much. But I couldn't be happier. A movie like this needs that sort of buzz otherwise no one will come see it."
Contrary to his perception, the Gotham premiere held at Cinema One Theatre was jam-packed, leaving some willing to stand or sit in the aisles to catch the pic. When the film ended, rather than rushing to file out toward the restrooms, the crowd stayed seated throughout the credits, applauding.
A party followed at Astra, in an elongated room overlooking the New York skylight. Adding to the "American Beauty" ambience, pink roses lined the walls.
Joining the film's cast of Kevin Spacey, Theta Birch, Wes Bentley, Mena Suvari, Peter Gallagher and Chris Cooper at the party were producers Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks, helmers Joel Schumacher and Mike Nichols, thesps Nathan Lane, Dan Hedaya, Florence Henderson, Bai Ling, Nicole Parker, Connie Britton, TV's Al Roker and Jodi Applegate and designer Isaac Mizrahi.