Review of Pushing Tin (1999) by Stuart K — 16 Apr 2013

Directed by Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) and Donnie Brasco (1997)), this film was based on an article called Something's Got to Give by Dewey Finn, originally pubished in the New York Times, and it focuses on one of the most tense and stressful jobs in the world, plus the love lives that happen in between.

It's a good film with some sly and gentle laughs, it's a shame it didn't do more business at the time. Nick Falzone (John Cusack), is a cocky air traffic controller, working in New York, and he prides himself on his job and the fact he's able to cope under pressure.

Then Russell Bell (Bill Bob Thornton) joins the team from the West Coast, and he's built himself a reputation as a bit of a maverick at what he does. Nick feels threatened by Russell and how he is seemingly able to be better at anything Nick does, both at work and at social functions.

But, matters are complicated when Nick encounters Russell's wife Mary (Angelina Jolie) visibly upset and at a lose end, Nick and Mary have an affair, and then Nick discovers his wife Connie (Cate Blanchett) has been eyeing up Russell.

It's a good film, with some good observations on life, but that's about it, it's essentially a four way character piece with other characters scattered in, but it has good intentions, although the cliched ending lets it down.