Matt Dillon hit the red carpet as star of Factotum (co-starring Lili Taylor and Marisa Tomei), at its premiere screening hosted by IFC Films and the New York Observer (whose new owner, 25-year-old Jared Kushner, was on hand) at the IFC Center Theater.

Dillon was so polished—clean shaven and in a suit—which was a stark contrast to his grubby, down-and-out (and heavily intoxicated) character, an alter-ego of the late great besotten writer Charles Bukowski. And Matt’s alter-ego? With a big grin (and dazzling pearly whites) he explained, “Well that’s sort of the nature of being an actor I guess! You get to pretend, and you get to play, and you get to play other people.” And he professed to us that he actually loved playing such a grimy guy. “It’s very different from anything I’ve ever done before.”

Co-star Lili Taylor was just darling in a long black lace frock (which fit perfectly on her slender frame), and the petite actress confessed that she’s actually not a big fan of high heels and really wears them “only for these kinds of [red carpet] things.” On her role opposite the hunky Dillon, Lili told us: “I’ve known Matt forever!”