Melbourne Herald Sun

Pushing Tin
By LEIGH PAATSCH, 22/7/99

The most stunning achievement of Pushing Tin is that it figures out a way to make air-traffic controlling seem like an exciting job. Almost sexy, even.

The heroes of thes above-average comedy are those daredevil desk jockeys who ensure that planes land on runways without crashing into one another.

When new-did-in-the-tower Russell (Billy Bob Thonton) joins the tight knit crew of control hotshot Nick (John Cusack), an unavoidable collision course of an earthbound nature comes to the fore.

What follows is ludicrous but highly enjoyable battle of wills between two stubborn blokes who have differing outlooks on how to let the steam out of their pressurized profession.

The film works because it is all about the audience having fun at the expense of two deluded males who, when not competing for the adulation of their workmates, are both repelled and attracted to each other against their better judgement.

A believably narky spark is continually re-ignited between Cusack and Thornton, and the comic aftershocks are rendered even stronger by the edgy electricity fo Glen and Les Charles' fine script.

Pushing Tin is only prevented from reaching greater heights because it keeps its two best characters at too low an altitude.

Both Cate Blanchett (showing some definite potentioal here as a comedian) and Angelina Jolie - as Nick and Russell's respective partners - do some great work with their limited opportunities.

But sadly they come out looking like token female passengers in a decidedly masculine vehicle.

Nevertheless, Pushing Tin arrives at its intended destination after giving its audience a slightly bumpy by very pleasurable ride.

Oh, and if you've ever wondered what would happen if you stood directly beneath a landing plane, make sure you check out what Cusack and Thornton get up to towards the film's conclusion.

Aussie Cate Online © 1999 Lin, Dean, Lance
800x600 screen size recommended.

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