Friday Review-Maxed Out (2006)

Friday, 16 December 2011

Maxed Out is a documentary focusing on the gross debt that Americans have gotten themselves into, both individually, and as a nation. Released in 2006, before the economic meltdown, Maxed Out touches on several key issues, including the growing disparity between the rich and the poor in America. Interviewing everyone from debt collectors to economists to pawn shop owners, the documentary paints a stark picture of what is happening in America. People get into debt without really thinking about it, credit card companies pray on the weak and unsuspecting and the government is, by and large, not held responsible for it's actions. While it raises some significant and notable points, the fact is Maxed Out comes across as somewhat contrived. There are the two mothers whose college aged kids killed themselves over debt and various home owners who can't afford their homes. There are some genuinely sad moments. But the fact is that the reasons for the huge amounts of debt that people have are never mentioned, or, even commented on. Why are people living beyond their means? Why would someone need a house with an elevator? And, while, undoubtedly it is sad to lose a house, if you can't afford it, why not move somewhere, I don't know, more affordable? America, like most Western cultures is a consumerist culture, where people are constantly being told to buy and they are obeying. I have no doubt that credit card companies, banks, etc. do overcharge and do make their money in some dubious ways, but there is a level of personal involvement here which the documentary never mentions. As individuals, one doesn't need to spend, spend, spend, nor does one need a  house with two hot tubs. Maxed Out blames everyone and anyone, except for individuals, for the problem and offers up no real solutions, unless 'blame Bush' is a solution, and even back in 2006 that seemed overdone. News clips,  clips from old documentaries, and blithe comments make this film seem lazy. In this age of savvy film-goers and consumers, it is foolish to treat everyone as ignorant. Overall, Maxed Out raises some significant points and alarming facts, which should be a wake up call of some sort, and as such is worth watching, but instead of picking on debt collectors as the mortal enemy, this documentary should have pointed the finger at the real culprit here, consumerism.