INSTANT FAMILY – “Its heart is definitely in the right place”
RATING
DIRECTOR
Sean Anders (Daddy’s Home – 2015)
STARRING
- Mark Wahlberg as Pete, Ellie's husband and the adoptive father of the three foster kids
- Rose Byrne as Ellie, Pete's wife and the adoptive mother of the three foster kids
- Isabela Moner as Lizzy, the oldest child among the three foster kids.
- Gustavo Quiroz as Juan, the middle child among the three foster kids.
- Julianna Gamiz as Lita, the youngest child among the three foster kids.
- Octavia Spencer as Karen, one of the social workers who guides the parents through the foster care process
SYNOPSIS
Loosely based on Directer Sean Anders adoption experience.
When Pete and Ellie decide to start a family, they stumble into the world of foster-care adoption. They hope to take in one small child but when they meet three siblings, they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight and trying to learn the ropes of instant parenthood in the hopes of becoming a family.
REVIEW SUMMARY
Ok, so is Instant Family predictable? Yes. Can it feel contrived at times? Also yes. But is it ultimately a feel good heart-warmer? Absolutely. Sure, the jokes don't always land and there are a few too many montages (seriously, what's up with that?), but the movie's heart is definitely in the right place. The foster child / adoption experience is handled surprisingly well here and is actually refreshing to see it get played out in such detail for a change. That is to say this film is not as empty as other "family comedies," but not as dense as other "family dramas." Instant Family finds itself right in the middle and provides an enjoyable enough viewing experience... for the whole family.
BOX OFFICE TOP 5
7
Kung Fu Panda 4
$5.5 million