Maxed Out: Hard Times, Easy Credit and the Era of Predatory Lenders DVD-Rip

“In «Maxed Out» takes on America's debt crisis. Consequently, he touches on related issues like race, corporate malfeasance, and political subterfuge. Scurlock’s multi-media approach incorporates statistics, news excerpts, and interviews, but it's rarely dull (comedy bits from Louis CK and tunes from Queen and Coldplay don't hurt). Speakers include economic professors, debt collectors, pawn brokers, investigative reporters, beleaguered consumers, and even Robin Leach (Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous). Instead of New York and Los Angeles, he concentrates on mid-size cities, like Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, and Seattle. Plenty of small towns also come into play. Though he never presses the point himself, Scurlock allows his subjects to note the similarities between the credit industry and the drug trade (others use such incendiary terms as “rape”). One thing he neglects to mention, however, is pride. If house payments are ruining your life, selling that property may be the only solution. In most cases, however, it's hard not to feel for those individuals who didn't know what they were getting into before they signed their lives away. For some viewers, this will be a dispiriting documentary – three subjects recount the suicides of relatives who found their debt too much to bear – but in explaining exactly how lenders and creditors make money, «Maxed Out» can help others to avoid some of their most egregious practices. In other words, debt may be a downer, but knowledge is power.” – Kathleen C. Fennessy, Amazon.com

“This is based on a book by the same people who made the movie (well, some of them). If you prefer to gain your information via some other form than books, this is a good alternative. I happen to own both movie and book and think they complement each other, belong together as a set. After watching this, I doubt you'll feel the same about credit and debt again. It will help you avoid predatory offers and, more importantly, be wary. NEVER forget that credit card companies are in business to make money, preferably by helping you wrack up debt at the highest interest rates possible. Miss a payment? They'll be counting the extra dollars as they up your interest rate. DON'T miss a payment and you may find your interest rate “arbitrarily” raised anyway! If you believe in increasing your financial literacy, this is a must-see. Credit cards can be tamed and, when used wisely and with back-up funds to keep you from being at the mercy of credit card companies, they can be a valuable tool in your financial picture. But be wary... and wise about the pros and cons.” – Customer Review on Amazon.com

“Extremely powerful message. Particularly the fact that credit card companies make most of their money from the people who really shouldn't have credit cards. The young and the poor who when they can't meet minimum repayments are socked with extra fees and penalty interest. Should be shown in all high schools and colleges as a warning to the vulnerable. However given the power of the credit card company political lobby groups, this film will probably get minimal distribution and disappear. This would be unfortunate as the message here is communicated in a clear and entertaining style.” – IMDB.com