Posted: 12/21/2010

The Freebie

(2010)

by Shannon Huebscher

It’s funny how getting married is both such a cultural institution and a huge joke at the same time. On the one hand, marriage is the ultimate goal for most people, overriding any personal accomplishments either personally or professionally that one can achieve. “Oh, she just got promoted to Vice President and was instrumental to our company’s growth and she’s the greatest co-worker ever, but oh, wait, she’s not married? Such a shame. What’s wrong with her?” Why is there such a need to get married or be “coupled” when the majority of them do not last? The fantastic new film, “The Freebie”, examines this conundrum with honesty and humor.

Enter Darren and Annie (played by Dax Shepard and Katie Aselton), a married couple in their ’30s, who find themselves in a rut. They adore each other, get along famously, love spending time together, and yet they have no sex life whatsoever. So what gives? After a lengthy discussion, they decide to try a new idea to bring the spice back into their sex life, and allow each other one free night of sex with another person - no strings attached, just to do it with the hopes it would reignite their passion for each other. What Darren and Annie soon discover is that their idea is not without strings attached.

Both Shepard and Aselton perform their characters with a brilliant ease (with this being Aselton’s directorial debut as well) - you can feel their chemistry and love for each other through the screen, as well as their desperation to resolve the problems that haunt them. Fidelity is not a black and white issue, or is it?

An absolute breath of fresh air, “The Freebie” is a fabulous new film that will not only entertain, but also perhaps challenge your own thoughts on what it means to be life partners, married, or committed.

Shannon Huebscher is a freelance writer living in Minneapolis.

Got a problem? E-mail us at filmmonthly@gmail.com