| The Freebie | |
| Director: | Katie Aselton |
| Producer: | Adele Romanski |
| Cinematography: | Benjamin Kasulke |
| Editing: | Nat Sanders |
| Music: | Julian Wass |
| Runtime: | 80 minutes |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Distributor: | Phase 4 Films[1] |
| Gross: | $16,613[2] |
The Freebie is a 2010 American independent film directed by Katie Aselton that had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.[3] The plot centers on a married couple who, frustrated by the lack of sex in their relationship, allow each other a one-night stand.[4] The film is largely improvised.
Darren and Annie have a comfortable relationship built on love, trust and communication, enjoying each other's company and still laughing at each other's jokes. However, their sex life has become dormant. When a dinner party conversation with friends leads to an honest discussion about the state of their love life, they begin to flirt with an idea for a way to spice their marriage up. They each agree to one night of freedom, no strings attached, no questions asked.
The script had originated as a detailed 6-page outline, with the rest of the dialogue being improvised.[5] For some scenes, Aselton would let the camera roll for as long as 30 minutes, and then would choose which dialogue made it into the final cut.[6] Dax Shepard signed on to play Darren after another actor exited the project.[7]
The film had its world premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival in the inaugural NEXT section.[8] It was acquired by Phase 4 Films and went on to screen at SXSW.[8] It was given a limited theatrical release on September 17, 2010.
The Freebie holds a 55% approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 5.6/10 from 29 critics.[9] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 54 out of 100, based on eight critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[10]
Todd McCarthy of Variety gave the film a positive review, writing: "From a performance P.O.V., Aselton and Shepard hold the screen well and are most watchable, and Aselton does a fluid directing job within the limited challenge she set for herself production-wise. Benjamin Kasulke’s HD lensing is bright and sharp, while Nat Sanders’ editing is very crisp."[11]
Stephen Holden of The New York Times wrote, "This minimalist indie with a title appropriate for a Judd Apatow comedy, is a smart seriocomic playlet with some emotionally harsh moments, although it refrains from plumbing its subject in agonizing depth."[4] The San Francisco Chronicles Mick LaSalle also gave a positive review, commenting "Aselton gets a lot said in 78 minutes. I think the main thing she says is something never overtly spoken, that life is essentially a lonely experience - even when we're surrounded by activity, and even if we never shut up."[12]
Andrew Schenker of Slant gave the film a negative review and a 1.5/10 rating, writing: "Never are Aselton's failings more evident than in a pair of dinner party scenes, one of which opens the film, and which involve the central couple and their friends in a discussion of the nature of romance."[13]