Air traffic control is one of the most challenging and under-appreciated professions in the world. Every day, controllers make decisions that could impact the lives of hundreds, or even thousands, of people. Despite the importance of their work, it often goes unnoticed, reduced to individuals sitting in front of screens, monitoring blips, and issuing commands. Media attention is usually reserved for air traffic controllers when things go wrong, a theme that Hollywood explores in the 1998 drama Ground Control, directed by Richard Howard.
The film follows Jack Harris (played by Kiefer Sutherland), a former air traffic controller haunted by a past mistake. Five and a half years ago, he witnessed a plane crash on his watch in Chicago, leading to his resignation due to overwhelming guilt. When his former boss, Cruise (played by Robert Sean Leonard), now overseeing air traffic control in Phoenix, calls him back from retirement for assistance during a chaotic night of increased holiday traffic and technical difficulties, Harris must confront his past while navigating a series of challenges, including a malfunctioning jetliner.
Ground Control was produced on a limited budget, resulting in a visual style reminiscent of a standard television production. The film's treatment of its subject matter mirrors its appearance, as what could have been a compelling drama devolves into a predictable disaster film filled with genre cliches. While the plot twists and direction fall short, the performances, particularly Sutherland's nuanced portrayal, elevate the film. Despite its flaws, Ground Control remains watchable, thanks to the committed cast of experienced character actors.
Overall, Ground Control falls short of the quality expected for such a serious and intriguing subject matter.
RATING: 3/10
(Note: The original text was shared on Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on June 28th, 2004)
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