I.O.U.S.A. (2008)
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.
| Tomatometer | Critic | Review | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
 5/5 |
Think of this important documentary as Economics 101, a primer on how America and Americans spend, and what hardships the future holds for us unless we change the pattern and our habits quickly. Full Review |
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7/10 |
For a film starring the national debt, this is a good one. The expected tedious numerical research is accompanied by excellent graphics and archival footage that bring it alive. Is anyone listening? Full Review |
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 2/4 |
Practically begs audiences to declaim it essential viewing, rather than quietly convincing us Full Review |
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4/5 |
Fending off the global repo man Full Review |
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4/5 |
I.O.U.S.A manages to keep this dense, dry information dynamic enough to be interesting and terrifying enough to be important. Full Review |
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3.5/5 |
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. Full Review |
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B+ |
Its aim is to raise awareness of an impending financial disaster if America continues acting fiscally and morally irresponsible. Full Review |
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3/4 |
[A] timely documentary...There is a sense of urgency that propels Creadon's cautionary narrative as an alarming wake-up call to financial discipline. Full Review |
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68/100 |
Creadon avoids turning his film into a partisan slugfest, instead opting to focus on how our country as a whole must come together. Full Review |
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3/6 |
This solid doc reminds us how unsustainable the current American economy is. Full Review |
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4/5 |
A film with an urgent message that uses the medium to its advantage. Full Review |
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4/5 |
Unexpectedly entertaining, given that it’s about dodgy accounting on an epic scale, the film predicts an economic cold shower that is about to douse America’s prospects, thanks to its ever-expanding national debt. Full Review |
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4/5 |
This movie is a scary, exhilarating blast of atheist common sense. Full Review |
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Patrick Creadon's film is a lucid history lesson in the failures of successive Republican presidents to put a stopper in the country's leaking fiscal hole. Full Review |
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Chastening, compelling. Full Review |
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B |
It makes a very good effort at trying to cover this enormous, important, complex issue of the national debt in less than an hour and a half. Full Review |
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3/4 |
Although the movie is unabashedly alarming, it's also intelligent fun. Full Review |
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A |
as essential viewing as any common sense advice you've received from parents/grandparents about living within your means Full Review |
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B+ |
An informative and frightening documentary about America's inability to pay as it goes and the looming consequences of this shortsightedness. Full Review |
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B |
A movie that should be seen by everyone. Full Review |
CommentLatest 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.
More...
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