Loaded with graphs, facts and statistics, it is too weighty a lesson in economics to be digested in 90 minutes.
Comment
10/02/08
I.O.U.S.A. (2008)
91
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:56
Fresh:51
Rotten:5
Average Rating:7.3/10
Consensus: A potent and lithely constructed documentary about America's financial crisis, I.O.U.S.A grabs you with figures but holds you with irreverent wit.
Theatrical Release:Aug 22, 2008 Limited
Box Office: $634,829
Synopsis: Wake up, America! We’re on the brink of a financial meltdown. I.O.U.S.A. boldly examines the rapidly growing national debt and its consequences for the United States and its citizens. As the Baby... [More]
Starring: David Walker, William Bonner, Warren Buffett, Ron Paul
Director: Patrick Creadon
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Reviews for I.O.U.S.A.
The message is fine, but the movie is not.
09/05/08
[T]his attempt to explain the nation’s fiscal crises in an entertaining and enlightening way ends up in the red.
08/21/08
Practically begs audiences to declaim it essential viewing, rather than quietly convincing us
02/22/09
This is less a film than an argument -- so much so that it's hard to imagine many film critics, or audiences, without some knowledge of economic history being able to respond to it in any way except with sheer terror.
08/21/08
Documentarian Patrick Creadon does a nice job of making the daunting math and economic theories associated with our national debt accessible.
08/22/08
Sage audiences already concerned about their cash money will budget a few bucks to learn more.
08/22/08
If you believe the terrifying documentary I.O.U.S.A., America is headed for a financial crisis of monumental proportions - and apparently, we are probably too late to keep it from happening.
12/07/08
In I.O.U.S.A. explains in clear and compelling terms fiscal problems that have been in motion for decades.
09/12/08
This solid doc reminds us how unsustainable the current American economy is.
11/14/08
Its aim is to raise awareness of an impending financial disaster if America continues acting fiscally and morally irresponsible.
11/20/08
Is to the country's troubled economy what An Inconvenient Truth was to global warming ... it's extremely effective at getting its message across.
08/20/08
[A] timely documentary...There is a sense of urgency that propels Creadon's cautionary narrative as an alarming wake-up call to financial discipline.
11/20/08
A solid informational piece on a fiscal reality than can really be called a national emergency.
08/23/08
Creadon avoids turning his film into a partisan slugfest, instead opting to focus on how our country as a whole must come together.
11/17/08
The movie clearly wants to scare the crap out of viewers, and it actually achieves that goal better than most horror movies have lately.
08/21/08
It's like Michael Moore decided to tackle the national debt, but finally kept himself and his personal agenda out of the way.
10/19/08
Scarier than a movie with Freddy Krueger.
08/26/08
A film with an urgent message that uses the medium to its advantage.
11/14/08
Forceful and lucid.
08/21/08
Latest News for I.O.U.S.A.
January 08, 2009:
Broadcast Film Critics Name Critics' Choice Winners
The 14th Annual Critics' Choice Awards were given on January 8, 2009, to honor the finest achievements in 2008 filmmaking. A list of nominees follows below, with winners in bold: More...
November 19, 2008:
A Closer Look at Oscar's Documentary Contenders 
With awards season just around the corner, it's time to start handicapping the various Oscar races -- and the Los Angeles Times has kicked things off with a look at the 15... More...
November 14, 2008:
UK Critics Consensus: Is Zack And Miri Make A Porno On The Money (Shot)? Is Max Payne Maxing Or Taxing?
This week in the UK cinema screens we have Kevin Smith's latest, the intuitively titled Zack And Miri Make A Porno. Marky Mark Wahlberg stars in the video game adaptation Max... More...
August 20, 2008:
Documentary explains America's financial crisis in layman's terms.
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