Movie Review: Maxed Out

Back in March, I read and raved about James Scurlock's book Maxed Out, which was written based on the upcoming documentary of the same name. I then promptly forgot about the movie and just got around to watching it now. So here is my much-belated review of Maxed Out, a movie that every American who wants to understand the subprime and consumer credit industry absolutely must watch.

Scurlock looks at the issue of maxed out Americans on the brink of bankruptcy with a mix of compassion and tough love. Interviews with the owner of a pawn shop show the conspicuous consumption that has been a major contributor the current mess. Dave Ramsey offers advice on a tough, rugged-individualist way to turn your life around: Cut up your credit cards, live like a pauper, and get yourself out of debt.

But there's another side to the story and Maxed Out tells it well: the credit card companies that shamelessly exploit college students and even the mentally disabled, and bankruptcy reform bill written by the credit card industry.

Maxed Out could well be called the movie the consumer credit industry doesn't want you to see, and that's all the reason you need to see it.