Movie review: ‘The Freebie’

Though its premise seems ripe for a high-concept studio yukfest, “The Freebie” is all the better for its low-budget, human-scale approach. This engaging, nicely observed look at a 30ish L.A. couple who allow each other a one-night stand to help reheat their 7-year-old marital bed moves quickly and simply, staying conscientiously on track until an intriguing finale that effectively upends what may — or perhaps may not — have come before.

As Annie and Darren, the domestically blissful if sexually stumbling mates, Katie Aselton (who also directed) and Dax Shepard (TV’s “Parenthood”) create such a wonderfully natural and warmly connected couple, you want to scream “don’t do it” when the pair hatch their ill-conceived sex dare inspired by some provocative dinner party chatter. They know it’s a bad idea too, but because it’s a movie, Annie and Darren must move forward with their sex-periment. The results are alternately expected and surprising — and always involving.

For a film whose scenes were improvised off Aselton’s reportedly six-page outline, it feels compactly and convincingly scripted thanks to smart editing along with Aselton’s deft management of her comfortable cast, especially the charmingly off-kilter Shepard. His character’s early-on declaration of “I love you, buddy” to his sweetly patient wife makes for the sexiest moment here of all.

“The Freebie.” MPAA Rating: R for language and sexual content. Running time: 1 hour, 20 minutes. At Landmark’s Nuart Theatre, West Los Angeles.