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:

cheating wife | movie flop | two word title | air traffic controller | air traffic control | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Billy Bob Thornton and John Cusack attended air traffic control schooling in Toronto as part of their role research.

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Goofs

In the scene where Russell works for the first time he gives some headings which are totally incorrect compared to the radar picture. He sends Continental on heading 060 which seconds later you see he is not flying. He also gives Delta "A steep left turn heading 090" when in fact Delta is already flying on heading 090 or maybe on heading 100 but still wouldn't be a steep turn at all.

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Quotes

Nick Falzone: [Nick finds Mary crying in the supermarket] Anything I can do?
Mary Bell: No, fine.
Supermarket Clerk: [to Mary] Is this man bothering you?
Supermarket Clerk: [to Nick] What did you say to her?
Nick Falzone: Hey! Hey, go away. Go battle evil on aisle twelve!

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Connections

References Ghost in the Shell (1995)

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Soundtracks

Radar Love
Written by George Kooymans and Barry Hay
Performed by Golden Earring
Courtesy of Red Bullet Productions B.V./The Netherlands

User Reviews

Waste of talented actors and interesting subject matter.

Pushing Tin takes a unique subject matter, a job that affects almost everyone in America, and compelling lead character in the midst of a moving internal struggle and absolutely ruins it. Why did the director and/or producer have to try and make Top Gun for Air Traffic Controllers? The first scene of this movie was so laughable I almost walked out. These filmmakers adapted this movie from an article, as the opening credits state. Too bad they used the Hollywood cookie cutter to do it. Mr. Cusack and Mr. Thornton are enjoyable as usual and so was Ms Blanchett, unfortunately that is not enough.

Details

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English French

Release Date:

23 April 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Pushing Tin

Filming Locations:

Etobicoke, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$33,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,555,032, 25 April 1999

Gross USA:

$8,408,835

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,408,835

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

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1