Written by Daryn Kirscht
Based on the trailers for the movie and writer/director Sean Anders’s shaky track record, I had an initial expectation that Instant Family would be an okay flick with a predictable premise and outcome. Man, I was wrong.
As you might expect, Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) are a “fixer upper” couple looking to adopt a child. When they encounter three foster siblings, they make the tough decision to adopt all three—despite the kids’ age and unique scenario.
Of course, having Wahlberg and Byrne as the leads instantly lends persona and credibility, but Isabela Moner as the eldest child, Lizzy, steals the show. This, however, should not come as a huge surprise, since she is a rising young star coming off Transformers: The Last Knight and Sicario: Day of the Soldado.
The marketing department on the film went out of their way to make it appear lighthearted and family friendly, but this might not be so family friendly – and I mean that in the best way possible. The film has one-liners and silly jokes, but Instant Family takes it to another level by embracing the reality of the situation foster kids find themselves in.
Part of what makes those darker moments work is how they are used. The entire movie is about uniting and going through each phase of life together as a family. This film nails it in this regard. It’s the best part of the entire film and the heart of it.
The depth at the core of Instant Family brings out more in the lighter moments that ultimately make this film the best in Sean Anders’s repertoire to date. It also comes as no surprise that he based the story on his own life experience of adoption (the best stories are usually told from first-hand experience).
If you are looking for a change-of-pace film that differs itself from other shallow comedies and goes an extra step to deliver a more well-rounded and believable story, then Instant Family is for you.
Rating: 9/10
