I.O.U.S.A. (2008)

Few are aware that America may be on the brink of a financial meltdown. I.O.U.S.A. explores the country's shocking current fiscal condition and ways to avoid a national economic disaster.

Director:

Patrick Creadon

Writers:

Patrick Creadon, Christine O'Malley,

Stars:

Robert Bixby, Humphrey Bogart, Warren Buffett

4 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Robert Bixby	...	Himself
Humphrey Bogart	...	Himself (archive footage)
Warren Buffett	...	Himself
George Bush	...	Himself (archive footage)
George W. Bush	...	Himself (archive footage)
Jimmy Carter	...	Himself (archive footage)
Bill Clinton	...	Himself (archive footage)
Stephen Colbert	...	Himself (archive footage)
Kent Conrad	...	Himself (as Sen. Kent Conrad)
Ander Crenshaw	...	Himself (as Rep. Ander Crenshaw)
Bing Crosby	...	Himself (archive footage)
Douglas Durst	...	Himself
Dwight D. Eisenhower	...	Himself (archive footage)
Gerald Ford	...	Himself (archive footage)
Alan Greenspan	...	Himself

Storyline

I.O.U.S.A. examines the rapidly growing national debt and its consequences for the United States and its citizens. As the Baby Boomer generation prepares to retire, will there even be any Social Security benefits left to collect? Burdened with an ever-expanding government and military, increased international competition, overextended entitlement programs, and debts to foreign countries that are becoming impossible to honor, America must mend its spendthrift ways or face an economic disaster of epic proportions. Throughout history, the American government has found it nearly impossible to spend only what has been raised through taxes. The film blends interviews with both average American taxpayers and government officials to demystify the nation's financial practices and policies. The film follows U.S. Comptroller General David Walker as he crisscrosses the country explaining America's unsustainable fiscal policies to its citizens. The film interweaves archival footage and economic ...

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Plot Keywords:

economics | national debt | financial crisis | entire title is capitalized acronym | acronym in title | 

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Taglines:

One Nation. Under Stress. In Debt.

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Genres:

Documentary

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

Roadside Attractions

Country:

USA

Language:

English Mandarin

Release Date:

14 November 2008 (UK)

Also Known As:

Untitled Patrick Creadon and Christine O'Malley/Debt Project

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$61,313 (USA) (22 August 2008)

Gross:

$820,967 (USA) (27 February 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

O'Malley Creadon Productions, Open Sky Entertainment, Peter G. Peterson Foundation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Episode #7.67 (2008)

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Soundtracks

"Born to Be Wild"
Words and Music by Mars Bonfire
© Songs of Universal, Inc. on behalf of Universal Music Publishing, A.D.O.
Universal Music Canada, Ltd. (BMI)
Performed by The Twang
Courtesy of xxs records

User Reviews

Scary; but true. Relevant and well Paced.

I am no political graduate or major in economics, but I do believe that the average 'Joe American' can certainly put two and two together and realize that America is in a crisis. Watching this film over a year after it's release just makes it even scarier.

I don't have much to say on the film. It does a good job on explaining the American Debt, giving some (and enough) details on how it all started (1776) and to now. It gives solid details on what led to the current state of Federal Debt and it issues out 'how to solve' this problem.

Really, the pathetic thing (not of the film, but on congress) is that the SOLUTIONS, which are proclaimed radical by the 'back of the box summary' are extremely blatant and common sense.