"The Freebie" is about a couple who decide to give each other one freenight off from their marriage. It sounds like the upcoming Owen Wilsoncomedy "Hall Pass"(2011), except in this case it's not a comedy. Atleast I don't think it's a comedy. It has been marketed as one but Idon't think it was the filmmaker's intention.

Instead of cheap laughs, we get a very personal, introspective lookinto one couple's relationship. Dax Shepard and director Katie Aseltonplay Darren and Annie who claim that they have the bestrelationship—with open communication and complete honesty. The filmdoesn't just tell us they are open and honest but we see it, andexperience it, for ourselves. They are more open and honest than Iimagine most real life couples ever could be.

The question of, "is there such thing as too honest?" comes up whenDarren expresses to Annie that he sometimes has a desire to sleep withsomebody else. Since they are so confident with what they have, theyforesee no problems with each other having a freebie. The film actuallyfinds a way to explore this set-up in a fairly interesting way. I wasvery curious with the fate of their relationship and I wanted to seehow it would get there.

I was a bit concerned that there was no comedy, and there was nothingelse to the story, but I think they came up with a new way to tell thesame old story—a story about sex, but without resorting to showing ussexy stars in naked poses. Instead, we just got a very naked, rawexamination of a relationship. "The Freebie" is definitely worth a lookif that sounds interesting to you.

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Should watch - see for yourself.

I feel bad giving this one such a low score because to be honest, it isnot a bad movie - it's just kind of frustrating.

The idea of one night off from seemingly cruisy/happy coupledom seemsto excite both partners and they seem to have some wack idea thathaving a one night stand with someone else is going to set their sexlife on fire... hmm. I'm not adverse to doing things outside of thenorm or working relationships your own way, whatever works. But theidea that having a good hook up outside of your relationship couldspark up said relationship's sex life is just kind of null and void tome, but like I said, whatever works.

**major spoiler here** There's something about the way this plays outthat makes me think Darren was just toying with the idea to begin with- like he wasn't fully committed to the plan & then Annie got into itand they got swept up in going through with it. Even on the night ofthe planned 'freebie' Annie looks gorgeous and is completely dressedup, applying make up, preparing. Whereas Darren is walking around inhis sweatpants eating raisins out of the bag, it's never touched on butI think really he was not fully committed to going through with theplan and got curious to see how Annie approached the situation. Noother reviews I can find really touch on that idea that the plan mightnot have been mutual, whether things progressed beyond the point of noreturn without Darren really being committed to the plan.

It's intense, it's extremely real but it gets a little washed out inall the dialogue, there's so much talking that it starts to feel verymuch like having a book read to you - no actions - just discussion ofactions, for 70 mins. Dax is great, I think he is going to become moreand more successful and Aselton is really adorable in this too.

I seriously don't want to spend any other minute related to that movie.I'm only reviewing it to save someone else's useful time.

This is one of the worst movies I've seen in quite a bit. Not for thefilm itself, but the script. It's absolutely conservatory andbackward-thinking!! I was just BORED throughout all the few 77 minutes(which could easily have been 7). It doesn't go anywhere, it's juststuck in one point! A script needs to evolve in order to get thespectator's attention!

The direction was really poor, I don't think there even was an artdirector or a photography director on the team. There are somecompletely useless cuts and scenes, the background is ridiculous, thecameras are flippin' crazy... and I don't really like Dax Shepard, butthat's just me.

But the worst is really the story of it all, that script. c'mon, it's2011, we've already passed even the "it's the 21st century" thing,'cause it got old. there is absolutely no use for that kind of movie inthese days.

If you're anyhow open-minded about sex, love and relationships, you'regonna hate this movie.

The high concept question asked by "The Freebie" is: If you and yourspouse gave each other total freedom to indulge in a one-night stand,no questions asked and no strings attached, would you do it?

The couple at the center of the movie (played by Dax Shepard and thefilm's writer/director Katie Aselton) do it, or at least probably do it(I wasn't even aware that the film even hinted at ambiguity as to itsoutcome until after I'd already seen it and read comments from theInternet community about it -- it seemed pretty clear to me whilewatching the film). And the results, predictably, are disastrous fortheir relationship.

"The Freebie" is a frustrating viewing experience, mostly because ofthe characters played by Shepard and Aselton. They're the kind ofpeople who talk and talk and talk about every last minute emotion andfeeling they're having, treating each other more like their ownpersonal blogs than like a life partner. Their relationship has falleninto a rut and no wonder -- I'd be sick to death of anyone who I spentthat much time navel gazing with. By the time the movie's over, Ididn't much care whether or not they stayed together, because themtogether drove me crazier than either of them did when they were apartfrom one another. When tensions overflow into a shockingly nasty(especially on the part of Shepard's husband) fight at the end, you'realmost relieved, because for once these two people have stopped beingso damn nicey-nice and understanding with one another and actually justsay what they feel.

"The Freebie" is ultimately a little too slight and underdeveloped toreally be satisfying, but I will admit that it had me and my wifetalking quite a bit about even a couple of days after we'd seen it, soit obviously achieved something.

Grade: B-

The film stars Dax Shepard and Katie Aselton. She directed the filmabout a couple's decision to have a one-night stand outside themarriage.

Definitely a raw topic that merited being explored. it's good that amovie could hopefully save a few broken hearts. The movie carried anintensity that definitely holds your attention. during the Q&A Ilearned that it was mostly done extemporaneously, and I was veryimpressed. Fun way to make a movie. A notch above the field inquality.Really clever film. The script was fantastic, and thecharacters had great chemistry. If you are currently in a relationship,this movie will give you a good laugh. Definitely worth seeing.