Instant Family

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David C Está chistosa entretenida y te hace sentir el amor de una familia aveces Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/12/24 Full Review Dylan N Love the message in this movie, Mark will be Mark. I appreciate this movie for its family like purpose of a film. If you are seeking a sweet and heart felt kind of night, with out the violence, and action pack explosion. This would be it. The family can enjoy. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/01/24 Full Review Jacob W There was some sad truth behind it, and u got teary eyed twice. But for the most part it was hilarious! As a bonus, the little girl was adorable! Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/01/24 Full Review Matthew D The sweetest adoption movie that’s fun for families. Director Sean Anders’ family comedy-drama Instant Family (2018) is a kindhearted film that I found very touching and funny. Anders clearly cares about his characters and adopted children, since Instant Family is inspired by his own life story adopting 3 children in need. I think this movie is entertaining, but also feels sincere and may help orphans and kids from troubled families get a loving home. Good on producers Mark Wahlberg and Sean Anders for getting Instant Family made. It’s a funny comedy, tender family drama, and a sweet natured film that is a wonderful testament to the power of nurturing parents. Writers Sean Anders and John Morris provide tons of hysterical jokes and outrageous punchlines that felt timely. I most appreciate making time for each adopted kid to feel like fully fleshed out characters between the little girl, young boy, and teenage daughter. The amount of consideration put into the dialogue about reasons for adopting, ways of foster parenting, and being there for the kids when they need you is all wonderful advice. Casting director Sheila Jaffe cast amazing actors. Throughout Instant Family, I kept getting surprised by the cameos and supporting ensemble. Mark Wahlberg is excellent as the foster father Pete Wagner. He nails the silly tone of his incredulous jokes as well as coming across as a loving paternal figure. He’s a riot scolding the kids, but really moving when he hugs his new son. Rose Byrne is a scream as the crazy playful mother Ellie Wagner. She dives deep into the humor, well as really looking after the kids with a gentle motherly personality. Her connection to the teenage daughter was very sweet. Isabela Merced is impressive as the troubled teenage girl Lizzy Wagner, who had to basically raise her brother and sister. Merced is great at having the hard talks and big emotional displays that come with portraying a girl from a broken home and angsty teenager. Gustavo Escobar is fun as the accident prone and apologetic 10-year-old son Juan Wagner. His scenes with Wahlberg really connected with me. Julianna Gamiz is a blast as the feisty and forlorn 6-year-old girl Lita Isabella Wagner. You get three distinct personalities with the kids and their performances are all worth seeing for their natural portrayals of these adopted kids. Octavia Spencer is fun as the blunt social worker Karen. Tig Notaro is always a pleasure with her dry wit and deadpan delivery as the other social worker named Sharon. They are great parenting guides. Margo Martindale is a lark as the sly Grandma Sandy. Julie Hagerty is insane as the quiet and absent-minded mother of Ellie named Jan. Michael O'Keefe is funny as Ellie’s father Jerry, who only wants to watch the game on television. Iliza Shlesinger is hysterical as a hopeful foster mom named October, who basically wants to recreate The Blind Side in real life. Valente Rodriguez, who was hilarious as Ernie on The George Lopez show, gets an excellent cameo as the Adoption Court Judge Rivas. Charlie McDermott is very amusing as Pete’s house renovator co-worker Stewart with his goofy personality. Carson Holmes is funny as the high schooler Charlie, who gets ignored by Lizzy and yelled at by Wahlberg. Nicholas Logan is apt as the creepy janitor Jacob in a thankless role. Joselin Reyes is touching as the children’s birthmother Carla. Joan Cusack even gets a funny cameo out of nowhere as the neighbor Mrs. Howard. Editor Brad Wilhite’s swift cuts keep the family fun and insanity montages coming. The pace is very quick and we really get to sit with the harder emotional scenes for lingering feelings. Cinematographer Brett Pawlak gets creative with the angles around these few house sets to keep things fresh. The vivid lighting from Stephen Crowley is finely appreciated. Composer Michael Andrews did a good job making a plucky movie score to keep things light. Costume designer Lisa Lovaas provides tons of different looks for these suburban home owners and their kids. In the end, Instant Family is incredibly funny and cute for a delightful and moving 118 minutes. Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne deliver some of their finest acting in Instant Family! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/26/24 Full Review John R Definitely worth watching, shows the difficulty of adopting children in a charming way, feel good film! Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/31/24 Full Review Dani G Entertaining simple film to watch with all the family Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 08/22/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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