Wondering what to do with your Economic Stimulus Payment? Cash that check and buy yourself a ticket to this entertaining look at our national debt! Even the nerdiest of policy wonks might balk at the idea of such a movie. But Patrick Creadon, who enlightened us on the exploits of crossword puzzle enthusiasts in WORDPLAY, has created an engaging film that informs, amuses, and occasionally terrifies with its look at the US debt, now at a record high.

I.O.U.S.A. unfolds the history of the debt, examines how it got to its current level and its impact on the average American. David Walker, former Comptroller General of the US, serves as the film’s oracle and makes a strong case for changing our policies to address the debt. The film taps into many other people’s viewpoints, including Warren Buffett, Robert Rudin, Ron Paul, and Paul O’Neill.

While there are plenty of facts and figures, I.O.U.S.A.’s brilliance is how it can make us laugh at something so alternately infuriating and mundane. To make a point about the impact of debt on future generations, Creadon introduces a group of college students attempting to educate indifferent fellow students, with comic results.

I.O.U.S.A. deftly avoids both preachiness and partisanship, focusing instead on potential problems, solutions, and on the lack of public awareness on these issues. In doing so, I.O.U.S.A. serves as both guide and goad, and sounds an alarm that needs to be heard. So, go out and cash that check—while the government still has money to pay it!

—D.B. Garland