4/26/99
Pushing Tin stars John Cusack as Nick "The Zone" Falzone, Billy Bob Thornton as Russell Bell, Cate Blanchett as Connie Falzone, Angelina Jolie as Mary Bell, Jake Weber as Barry Plotkin, Kurt Fuller as Ed Clabes, Vicki Lewis as Tina Leary, Matt Ross as Ron Hewitt, Jerry Grayson as Leo Morton, Michael Willis as Pat Feeney, Philip Akin as Paul, Mike O'Malley as Pete, Neil Crone as Tom, Matt Gordon as Ken, Joe Pingue as Mark.
Pushing Tin is a complete surprise! How can a movie about Air Traffic Controllers be entertaining? This one is a clever comedy about the rivalry of two men, Nick "The Zone" Falzone and Russell Bell. In fact it is the best insight to the workings of the male mind ever made. The Zone is the cool, driven traffic Controller in the New York area. He has the ability to handle more planes and not stress out, than any of the other controllers.
Then enter Russell Bell, a quiet, non-communicating controller. He has a reputation for being a little bit crazy and daring. He immediately is the rival and competition for Nick. He is invited to the inner circle of friends for drinks and a barbecue. Here we are treated to the inner working of the male mind with respect to its competitiveness and shear lust for women. Mary Bell, Russell's wife, is a knock-out. At the barbecue all the male jaws drop when they see her. Nick plays bartender and flirts with her, and gets put down. She then moves into the house where the wives are and lasts about ten minutes listening to them discuss the number of marriages they are on.
Nick, while shopping runs into a sobbing Mary. He tries to console her, again she refuses, however, Nick persists and she agrees to have dinner with him. Well, the dinner ends up with Nick following Mary home and going to bed with her. Nick leaves and feeling very guilty about breaking the unwritten rule of sleeping with another controller's wife, is a nervous and stressed as ever.
Nick later meets Mary in a parking lot where she tells him she has confessed to her husband. Nick is now going off the deep end with guilt. He is now so stressed out that he can no longer function at any level.
I liked this film a lot. It is good entertainment. John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton, Cate Blanchett as Connie Falzone, and Angelina Jolie as Mary Bell give us great performances. The entire cast is great. This is a film that will be enjoyed by couples and singles alike. A great date movie. Go see it!
I give it 4 out of 5 casseroles: