Product Details

• Actors: John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton, Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie, Jake Weber
• Directors: Mike Newell
• Writers: Darcy Frey, Glen Charles, Les Charles
• Producers: Alan Greenspan, Art Linson, Michael Flynn
• Format: Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• DVD Release Date: January 13, 2009
• Run Time: 124 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001HVZOB6
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,616 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Pushing Tin" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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

Product Description

PUSHING TIN - DVD Movie

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zen And The Art Of Air Traffic Control, June 6, 2005

By 

Brian E. Erland "Rainbow Sphinx" (Brea, CA - USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pushing Tin (DVD)

Nick Falzone (John Cusack) is at the top of his profession, the number one air traffic controller servicing one of the busiest airports in the U.S.A. Nicknamed "the zone" he is the epitomy of focus and control. This need to be the best is not restricted to the control tower, but permeates every aspect of his life. At first it appears that Nick is the master of his own destiny, unbeatable in everything he puts his mind to. That is until a fellow employee breaks down on the job and Russell Bell (Billy Bob Thornton) is hired to replace him.

Russell may be new to this particular airport, but he has a reputatiion amongst fellow air traffic controllers that has reached almost 'urban legend' proportions. Known as a maverick, a headcase, a lunatic, but also a brilliant air traffic controller, rumor has it that Russell was fired from his last job for laying on a runway in front of an oncoming 747. Whether truth or fable, Russell is given a second chance and his reputation as a highly skilled controller is evident from his first day on the job. Nick realizes his position at the top of the heap may be in imminent danger.

Hoping to study his new rival in a different setting, Nick invites Russell and his wife to his home for a company party. Up until now Nick's wife Connie (Cate Blanchett) had been considered the prettiest wife amongst co-workers. However when Russell's wife Mary (Angelina Jolie) arrives at the party it becomes immediately obvious that a new consensus of opinion has been reached. Now the competition really begins.

Nick's obsession for outdoing Russell escalates. Russell on the other hand plays along with the pretense of competition while remaining unattached and emotionally undivested in what the outcome may be. You see Russell has already passed through his own "dark night of the soul" and has overcome his inner demons. He has no further need or desire to prove anything to anyone. That of course is what bothers Nick most of all. For a man like Nick one of the major benefits to winning and being number one is the acknowledgement of defeat from your opponent. For Russell there is no defeat, for there was no competition.

As Nicks' life disintergrates around him Connie moves out after learning he slept with Mary. He eventually suffers a nervous breakdown and is given a leave of absence from his job. Alone and emotionally shattered, his once famous ability to focus and control every situation has been called into question. His only hope now is Russell, someone who has already been there. Russell shows him the folly of his obsession and points him towards a new perspective of reality. To fully embrace this new way of life a rite of passage is required, one that demands trust and bravery. Will Nick have the courage to see it through to the end?

Marvelous script, extraordinary cast with great chemistry (Billy Bob and Angelina married shortly after completing this film) and witty dialogue. A movie to be enjoyed over and over again.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Third Time Around...Lost It's Charm, March 15, 2006

By 

L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views" (Huntington Beach,CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Pushing Tin [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The first time I saw "Pushing Tin", I remember smiling and laughing and commenting about what a good movie it was. A couple of years later, I found it in the bargain bin of my local video store and remembered how much I liked it, and bought it on VHS. During this second viewing, my mind wandered and I think I was doing my grocery list in my head. But..I still held onto it for some reason. Maybe my mood just wasn't right for it at that time. So here it is, another couple of years since my last view, enough time past so that it should play fresh to me. It was the big moment, do I want to upgrade this film to DVD now? Alas, I didn't even make it through the entire film. By this third time, it had definitely lost the appeal it had years ago.

A great ensemble cast, including John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton,Angelina Jolie and Cate Blanchett(no lack of talent there),and a fun story, it just lacked that "take me somewhere else for a while" quality that makes a film stand up to repeated viewings time and again.

Here's the story. The setting is a building on Long Island, New York. Air Traffic Controllers work the busiest skies in the world. Three busy airports have planes coming and going. It's a job that requires great skill and a level head. Millions of lives are dependent on the expertise of this group. And they are a tight knit group. They even hang together with their families outside of the "office". Nick Falzone(Cusack), is obviously, the leader of the pack. He's the guy with everything. The coolest head at work, brings in the flights perfectly("I got em lined up lock Rockettes"), the prettiest wife, a great house and car, can sink the most free throws, etc etc....

Enter a new Controller. One Russell Bell(Billy Bob). He's strange and quiet, but soon proves to be the best of the best..at everything!...Well, the you know what contest begins. Falzone can't take someone else being better then him. He's supposed to be the star of the show. Pretty soon, they are going head to head on everything. Including, messing in each other's personal lives and each other's wives.The obsession and tension of the games they play effects the quality of their work(putting human lives in danger), and home life as well.

A fun view the first time around with these mucho macho guys, and also a little lesson in what a great but stressful job the Air Traffic Controllers have.I was impressed with the way this cast worked together as well.I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it yet, as a rental. Also Billy Bob and Angelina fans will enjoy their performance(and a little more from Angelina!) Just didn't make my upgrade to DVD or hang on to it for another viewing list.

here is a pair of great mystery films for fans of John Cusack:City Hall/Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

and for Billy Bob collectors:
Stars Fell on Henrietta(a small early role)
Primary Colors

You may even think twice, before flying again!...enjoy...Laurie

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Redeem your Frequent Flier points here, June 9, 2003

By 

slider (Oceanside, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pushing Tin (DVD)

This is one of these movies where two diametrically different characters, Nick Falzone(John Cusack) and Russell Bell(Billy Bob Thornton), go head-to-head in a battle of wits and testosterone to see who is the better man. One will fall to an all-time low, while the other rediscovers himself and helps the man who has fallen.

As Air Traffic Controllers for one of the worlds busiest TRACONs, the New York-New Jersey air corridor, Nick and Russell are working in one of the most high-stress jobs around. Nick is known as "The Zone" for his ability to "push tin" faster than any other air traffic controller. Nick and his tight-knit group of work buddies are suddenly thrown a curve ball when Russell Bell transfers in from Denver. At first, they assume Russell is just another back-woods controller who wont make the cut. But, Russell has a unique talent for pushing tin that bothers Nick. Suddenly, this guy, who wears a feather in his headset and carries his own wooden chair to work is making Nick look bad. Nick has finally met his match.

Rumors and video tape about Russell soon fly all over the TRACON and upset the finite balance Nick and his buddies have. Nick is so bothered by this mysterious character that he tries to push a few of Russell's buttons, but to no avail. Everyone, including Nick's wife Connie, find Russell "interesting".

At the same time, Nick finds Russell's wife equally intriguing. It's not long before marraige vows are broken and friendships are strained, with Nick coming out the loser. Nick Falzone has to go to extraordinary lengths to undo the damage. In the end, Russell Bell is the one who saves him.

I didn't quite know what to expect when I bought this movie. I must admit, I had stereotyped Billy Bob Thornton as some hick who had made a short break in the movies, but I was completey wrong about him. And, John Cusack was not on my short list of favorite actors, either. But when these two actors were cast together for this movie, the outcome was nothing short of hilarious. Angelina Jolie played a great supporting role as Russell's inebriated wife. Just a funny and satisfying movie from start to finish. And, Im now a Billy Bob Thornton fan.

If you liked this movie, I highly recommend you see 'Bandits'.