- Film Review
- Reviewed By Joanna Berry
-
3 out of 5
This uneven but fascinating comedy drama from Four Weddings and a Funeral director Mike Newell takes a look at the lives of the air-traffic controllers who guide planes in and out of New York's airspace. It focuses on two in particular - supercool Nick Falzone (John Cusack) and the Zen-like Russell Bell (Billy Bob Thornton), who challenges Cusack's claim to be the best controller in town. It's not only Cusack's ego that is bruised by his rivalry with Thornton; their wives (Cate Blanchett and Angelina Jolie) get caught in the crossfire. It may be overly dramatic in places, but it boasts superb performances from Thornton (playing a character so calm and laid-back, he's stood in the turbulent wake of a 747 just to see what it feels like) and Cusack, and contains more behind-the-scenes information than you ever wanted to know.
Plot Summary
Comedy drama starring John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton as rival New York air-traffic controllers, whose increasing competitiveness and hostility can only have disastrous consequences.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Nick Falzone
- John Cusack
- Russell Bell
- Billy Bob Thornton
- Connie Falzone
- Cate Blanchett
- Mary Bell
- Angelina Jolie
- Barry Plotkin
- Jake Weber
- Ed Clabes
- Kurt Fuller
- Tina Leary
- Vicki Lewis
- Ron Hewitt
- Matt Ross
Crew
- Director
- Mike Newell
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