Tiffany Scott
Executive Business Manager
“Instant Family,” although predictable, is a sweet, family-friendly story that leaves audiences feeling emotional.
Director Sean Anders directed, wrote and co-produced the film with Mark Wahlberg. Produced by Paramount Pictures, the film was released to theaters across the country on November 16th, 2018. The movie features Mark Wahlberg as Pete, Rose Byrne as Ellie, and Isabela Moner as Lizzy.
Pete and Ellie are a young, married couple that have recently decided to settle down. Needing a change in their boring daily routine, the two decide to adopt a child for the first time. To their dismay, the couple discovers that their adoption choice, Lizzy, comes with two younger siblings. Willing to take the risk, they decide to foster all three children. The story then follows the new family as Peter and Ellie hilariously try to learn to become parents overnight.
While the pace of “Instant Family” can at times feel relentless. Anders achieves a balance of both fun and sentiment with well placed laughs and authentic emotion. With good progression in regards to coming to terms with reality, this movie balances the perspectives of the children, as well as the adults, equally. It also illustrates the complexity of foster care and the adoption process as emotionally challenging for both adults and children.
The jokes are sometimes hilarious, but often come as moments of relief where the family has made it through a tough situation. At its core, the film is an ad for adoption, but it tells the story in such a way that viewers are able to relate and feel for the characters. The emotional scenes, both happy and sad, are genuinely emotional, and the dark moments are genuinely dark.
The two lead actors, Wahlberg and Byrne, play their roles well and have great on-screen chemistry. Both are very likable characters that shine whenever they are thrown into parenting situations beyond their abilities. They respond with desperation, frustration and anger in a way that demonstrates the hardships of parenting.
The best performance comes from new upcoming actress Isabela Moner, who plays the teenage daughter. Moner portrays her character in a believable and realistic way, adding a sense of authenticity to the film. Moner plays her role exceptionally well considering the darker material she is given.
Filled with emotion and comedy in the right places and an overall melo-dramatic tone that audiences fall in love with, this film does a great job in terms of its acting and story. The film is predictable at times and does not take many risks but is overall a well executed story. Ultimately, the film is about unconditional family love and perseverance, which is a great universal message.
“Instant Family” is rated PG-13 and is playing in theaters nationwide.
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