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May 29, 1999 -- "Pushing Tin" is an odd, aimless movie about male bonding, posturing, competitiveness, stress and rivalries gone nuts in an air traffic control system. It may be some time before I fly again.
John Cusack stars as Nick Falzone, top dog air traffic controller of the very busy skies over New York City. Falzone is in control of his little world until an even better air traffic controller Russell Bell (Billy Bob Thornton of "Sling Blade" and "Primary Colors," comes along. Falzone and Russell become macho rivals in which Falzone loses at every turn.
After sleeping with Bell's wife, Mary (played by a dangerous-looking Angelina Jolie), Cusack becomes convinced Russell Bell is after his own wife, Connie (convincingly played by Cate Blanchett of "Elizabeth"). Cusack suffers a breakdown. He can't do his job and his family falls apart.
After that, we get into the pop psychology that passes for spiritualism in Hollywood, combined with a sort of watered-down Indian mysticism. Cusack ascends the Rockies to consult with the mystic Billy Bob to find the secret of how to put his shattered life back together. It sounds a lot like "use the force Luke, let go."
The trouble with this pap is that it is neither comedy nor drama. There aren't enough laughs in it for comedy and there is very little dramatic tension in it, either. Maybe if they were competing for the same woman it might have been more effective, but they don't even do that. The competition is of the most childish sort imaginable: who can handle the most planes at once, who can make the most free throws in a row, etc. This is a plot in search of a story. Despite the fact the actors do a good job, it does not add up. It rates a C.
Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.
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