It centers on Nick Falzone (John Cusack), a cocky air traffic controller who quarrels over proving "who's more of a man" with fellow employee Russell Bell (Billy Bob Thornton).

At a supermarket, Nick encounters Russell's despondent young wife Mary, who is sobbing over a grocery cart full of alcohol.

Several days later, Mary informs Nick that she immediately told Russell about their one-night stand and that the confession has actually improved their marriage.

While out of town for his father-in-law's funeral, Nick can't bring himself to lie when a grieving Connie challenges him to say that he has never cheated on her.

The building is evacuated and both Nick and Russell volunteer to stay behind to handle the daunting task of landing all the planes on approach before the alleged bomb is set to go off in 26 minutes.

Connie leaves Nick, and his performance at work suffers; the once cocky, boastful controller is sent home after being responsible for two "deals" (near mid-air collisions) in one shift.

Nick seeks his advice on how to get his personal life back in order, but Russell is unable to make him understand with words.

[7] The film was nominated for best casting in a feature comedy (Ellen Chenoweth) by the Casting Society of America,[8] and was nominated for best sound editing (Colin Miller, Sue Baker, Ross Adams, Derek Holding, Jacques Leroide) by the Motion Picture Sound Editors.