TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1999

'Tin' pushes air traffic chaos too far

By Trond M Vagen

On-Line Forty-Niner

It has been said that air traffic controllers have more lives in their hands during a shift than surgeons have in their entire careers.

In the chaotic world of air traffic controllers, control is paramount, and to lose it would affect the lives of hundreds of individuals. Against this backdrop, "Pushing Tin" unfolds, telling a tale of two hot air traffic controllers and their beautiful wives.

Nick Falzone (John Cusack) is the local control freak and hot shot at New York's air traffic control facility. He has a charming wife (Cate Blanchett), and seems in complete control of his life.

Enter Russell Bell (Billy Bob Thornton) and his gorgeous spouse (Angelina Jolie), and trouble arises. Bell and Falzone's rivalry for the top spot and their extramarital affairs soon get in the way of their control, and chaos soon ensues.

The world of air traffic controllers has never before been the focus of a feature film, and its debut on the big screen is flawed, with a long, drab middle period where the director unsuccessfully tries to blend the chaos of the men's work with emotional stress and the ever-tiring extramarital affairs that seem to sneak their way into every mediocre movie out there.

Cusack and Thornton are great actors, and it is a shame that their talent is not used to a better extent in this movie.

Director Mike Newell ("Four Weddings and a Funeral," "Donnie Brasco") said he was tired after completing "Donnie Brasco," but fell in love with this script and started working again instead of taking a much-needed rest.

When one is left with the bitter taste of a film that does not fully spread its wings and utilize its potential, it is perhaps not totally wrong to suggest that Newell should have taken that sabbatical first.