PUSHING TIN (1999)

Directed By: Mike Newell 
Written By: Glen Charles & Les Charles 
Based On An Article By: Darcy Frey 
 Cinematography: Gale Tattersall 
Editor: Jon Gregory 

Cast: John Cusack, Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Billy Bob Thornton, Vicki Lewis, Jake Weber, Kurt Fuller, Matt Ross, Mike O’Malley 


Nick and the other boys working the hotspot of air traffic control in New York are impressed with themselves, to say the least. They thrive on the no-room-for-error, fast-paced job and let it infect their lives. The undisputed king of pushing tin, "The Zone" Falzone, rules his workplace and his wedded life with the same short-attention span that gets planes where they need to be in the nick of time. That is, until Russell Bell, a new transfer with a reputation for recklessness but a record of pure perfection shatters the tensely-held status quo. The game of one-upmanship between the two flies so high as to lead Nick into Russell's bed with his wife. His sanity slipping just as fast as his hold on #1, Cusack's controller is thrown out-of-control when Thornton's wanderer quietly leaves town. Nick must now find a way to regain his sanity and repair his marriage before he breaks down completely.

This film is more a domestic comedy that involves high pressure jobs and extramarital affairs in Long Island. As the two main characters seem to be in competition at work that spills over into their personal Lives. That highlight the camaraderie and craziness of the crew of air traffic controllers.

Where the film tries to teach us that it everyone is who we label them as. As we slowly get to see behind the characters guarded curtains. The film comes off as more middle aged fantasy as a kind of crime and punishment for jealousy and being overly Competitive. As it seems to be made for that kind of audience but at least takes us back to a time when major releases were made with R Ratings and more to be appreciated and enjoyed by adults. That had real responsibilities and consequences. 

This was made when everyone in the cast career was in the hot seat. As they were all at the height of their fame and game. It’s also the film where Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie fell in love and got married which gave the film a lot of publicity and helped make it a hit. As that seemed to overpower the comedy of the premise of the film. As this was when Angelina Jolie was truly starting to become more of a sex symbol it seemed in Hollywood. Unfortunately it leaves her with barely anything to do but be the messed up bombshell.

Cate blanchett seems to be trying to create a character in her role. So at least she comes off as the most professional and chameleon here. As the neurotic housewife.

Billy bob Thornton comes off as the crews new spiritual leader and cool and doesn’t seem to do anything wrong except dare to be guarded and a little jealous.

John Cusack comes off as the all star here as he is given more of the comedic heavy lifting as the most conflicted character as the others come off more assured.

The film tries to be vivid but is Directed a little flat and never quite comes as alive as most of the characters. As the film just feels more shaped as a situation comedy then as a full Feature. That seems to want to have comedic hijinks but seeks to be more dramatic at times with it’s characters.

The film isn’t especially deep as it tries to make us feel sorry for the lead and make him somewhat understandable. As he is selfish, nebbish and kind of a loser yet the de facto leader of his co-workers as that is all he seems to truly control in a stressed out job of an air traffic controller. Who feels thrashed when he is usurped to a degree.

The performances are the strongest part of the film. As the film is funny though. It as deep as it is kind of standard only played in different surroundings. As it has the setting of air traffic controllers. Who come off as mild mannered thrill junkies who are already under enormous stress. Which adds a small thriller element and visualizes their fears and problems they try to escape and deflect. In the end the film is more about a middle aged man and his domestic troubles that lead the film into being more a domestic drama/comedy.

As the lead character already on the sharp edge of life. Has a controlled life at home and is the man at his job and once all that is seemingly threatened he unravels and to get back at his rival cheats with the other man's wife and expects revenge but in all that paranoia dooms himself.

 Grade: C+