'Buffalo' finally gets room to roam

'Soldiers' preem controversy free

By NICOLE LAPORTE

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'Buffalo Soldiers' ' thesp Leon chills out at the film's Gotham premiere and Elaine's after-party on Monday.

 

Despite controversy surrounding the at-long-last released "Buffalo Soldiers" (it was shot pre 9-11), which darkly pokes fun at the U.S. military, the mood was decidedly nonpolitical at Monday's Gotham preem party at see-and-be-seen eatery Elaine's.

The impish Anna Paquin counted off the days to her 21st birthday (three), but said being legal was no big deal. "In New Zealand the big age is 18, and that's where I grew up," the Columbia freshman said.

Thesp Leon towered sveltely over the back-room crowd with a Zenlike look on his face. Asked about any developments since filming, the 6'3" former college basketball player said nonchalantly, "I grew a few inches."

Other hobnobbers included pic's director, Gregor Jordan, and co-stars Joaquin Phoenix (who bolted for the door after sternly turning away reporters), Scott Glenn and Shiek Mahmud-Bey; and Mark Consuelos.