Phileas Fogg.....lets just clear that one up. Not in the history of professional aviation has ATC ever been "in charge" of an aeroplane.
Every single ATC instruction whatever it may be is OPTIONAL for the Captain who is the only person legally in charge of an aircraft.
8CHE - Not every instruction. By law, ATC instructions must be obeyed except in emergencies. As per 14 CFR 91.123 - Compliance with ATC clearances and instructions:
"Except in an emergency, no person may operate an aircraft contrary to an ATC instruction in an area in which air traffic control is exercised."
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/91.123