Pushing Tin (1999)

Blessed by a fantastic cast and slick direction by Mike Newell, Pushing Tin is one of those invigorating movies (like Wall Street or All the President's Men) that takes you behind the scenes of a dramatic profession--in this case, the high-stress world of air-traffic controllers--and throws in a source of conflict to ramp up the tension. For ace "tin-pusher" Nick Falzone (John Cusack), that conflict arrives in the form of Russell Bell (Billy Bob Thornton), an Irish/Choctaw half-breed whose Zen-like control of air traffic immediately puts Nick on the defensive. Add an incident of infidelity and Nick's subsequent self-loathing and guilt, and Pushing Tin turns into a macho pissing match, with Nick's and Russell's spouses (Cate Blanchett and Angelina Jolie, respectively) stuck in the middle.

At that point, this otherwise splendid comedy-drama turns almost fatally silly, and it hits additional turbulence by lapsing into a predictable series of pat resolutions. Fortunately, the jazzy cast avoids a nosedive into the tarmac, and if you recall Blanchett's Oscar-nominated performance in Elizabeth, you'll be amazed by her flawless transformation into a smart and sweetly devoted New Jersey housewife. Dialogue is a major asset here, and the script (by TV veterans Glen and Les Charles) gives Cusack & Co. plenty to chew on. That makes Pushing Tin a breezy good time, and its flaws are easily forgiven. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

A Hollywood Version of ATC Reality

If you want spectacular picture about of a real history of Air Traffic Controller, this isn't your picture.

This picture is a good comedy, with elements for have funny session viewing a light history, with real elements, but the "Hollywood" elements are present in all of the history.

Good elements are the enviroment of the "office" of ATC's, ambiented on TRACON of New York and procedures followed, but have drops of unreality.

Good picture for enjoy on a weekend, specially for people funs of aviation. For general people is posible they don't understand some procedures.

Pushing Tin July 25, 2008

IT'S ONLY ME, BUT:

CUSAK AND THORNTON PLAY AIR TRAFIC CONTROLLERS WITH DIFFERENT METHODS OF ACHEIVING THE SAME GOAL. BILLIE BOB IS NUTS. JOLIE IS WITH THORNTON AND HUSTLES CUSAK. CAN'T SEE JOLIE AND THORNTON MARRIED. UGH. JM June 1, 2008

This is a comedy?

I own this movie because it came as part of a box set. I'd never heard of it before and didn't know anything about it, but eventually decided to watch it. I've tried to sit through it twice now, but can't seem to make it. It's supposed to be a comedy, but it's just not funny. I don't think I more than cracked a smile through the first 45 minutes. I kinda skimmed the rest of it, but I just didn't get it. The only things funny about this movie are that someone thought it was a good idea, and that idiots like me actually own it. Save your money. December 7, 2007

decent

Pushing Tin is a strange movie. It's a mix of romance comedy and drama. It actually does a fairly decent job of showing the viewer why relationships are important. It wasn't really a funny film to me personally. The segments that were supposed to make me laugh didn't work, and I was just waiting for the drama bits to come in. The first 30 minutes of plot were basically nonexistent, with me just wondering why *nothing* is happening. Eventually a storyline is created, if you're a patient person willing to wait for it to come.

Maybe I laughed at some of the cruel moments, which made me feel bad. The final 20 minutes of film were truly really good moments of creative writing and made the movie a worthwhile purchase. I should have seen the ending coming a mile away, and yet, I didn't. I forgot all about *something* Billy Bob's character had a fascination with, so it was a nice surprise to see how they managed that particular spot to fit into an excellent storyline segment.

Overall, decent, but not something you'd want to see more than once or twice. August 23, 2007

Amazing Cast-Mediocre Movie

Pushing Tin was a bit of a disappointment, considering the makeup of the cast: John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton, Angelina Jolie, and Cate Blanchett among others!
The movie sheds light on a New York air traffic controller who seems to have it all, but whose life takes a sharp turn for the worst from the moment a new transfer arrives to work by his side...
The plot has elements of both comedy and drama making it rather difficult to label it as one or the other; it's actually a bit of both.
The acting is pretty good (though nothing great), while the humor and the plot are just about average.
Though the potential for a great movie was definitely there it fails to take off. A shame really...
In a nutshell, it's an ok movie, and that's about it; it lacks that extra something to put it over the top. No masterpiece here.
If a Billy Bob Thornton movie is what you're looking for, check out Monster's Ball.
If John Cusack is what you had in mind, check out Serendipity.
August 8, 2007

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