Pushing Tin (1999)

A feud develops between two air traffic controllers: one cocky and determined while the other is restrained and laidback, which inevitably affects their lives.

Director:

Mike Newell

Writers:

Darcy Frey (article), Glen Charles (screenplay)

Stars:

John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton, Cate Blanchett

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Cusack	...	Nick Falzone
Billy Bob Thornton	...	Russell Bell
Cate Blanchett	...	Connie Falzone
Angelina Jolie	...	Mary Bell
Jake Weber	...	Barry Plotkin
Kurt Fuller	...	Ed Clabes
Vicki Lewis	...	Tina Leary
Matt Ross	...	Ron Hewitt
Jerry Grayson	...	Leo Morton
Michael Willis	...	Pat Feeney
Philip Akin	...	Paul
Mike O'Malley	...	Pete
Neil Crone	...	Tom
Matt Gordon	...	Ken
Joe Pingue	...	Mark

Storyline

Nick and the other boys (and Vicki Lewis) 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.

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Plot Keywords:

air traffic controller | air traffic control | marriage | job | female bodybuilder | 

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Taglines:

A comedy about losing control

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and a scene of sexuality

Details

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English French

Release Date:

23 April 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mi espacio

Filming Locations:

Etobicoke, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$33,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,555,032, 25 April 1999, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$8,406,264, 4 July 1999

Company Credits

Production Co:

3 Miles Apart Productions Ltd., Art Linson Productions, Dogstar Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Angelina Jolie had just shaved her head for the dying scenes in Gia (1998). She wore a wig in this film.

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Goofs

While Nick and Connie are driving to lunch, they drive past a building with a VIA (VIA Rail Canada, yellow letters on blue background) logo on it. VIA does not own any property in New York or New Jersey. The driving scene was shot in Canada.

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Quotes

Russell Bell: If you ever want to sleep at night, don't marry a beautiful girl.

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Connections

References Ghost in the Shell (1995)

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Soundtracks

Rock, Rhythm & Blues
Written by Derek Holt and Gary Moberly
Courtesy of Associated Production Music

User Reviews

An unusual, whacky comedy, fun and feelgood.

Another brilliant performance by John Cusack, and an equally cool one by Billy Bob Thornton. These two actors work so well together, and provide a superb onscreen chemistry. There's some lovely visuals in there too, especially of the traffic control screens, or the standing on the runway video.

The story is sometimes odd, and the characters derail in the wierdest fashion, but it's a nice story and has a message for all competitive people out there. You won't laugh insanely, but you'll giggle. A very enjoyable film.