'Instant Family' In Theaters Nationwide Today

Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne

By Darlene Donloe

The foster and adoption systems are no laughing matter.  Well, not until Mark Wahlberg gets involved. The result is Instant Family, a comedy/drama about a couple, played by Wahlberg and Rose Byrne, who foster three siblings all at once. One is a 15-year-old girl named Lizzy (Isabela Moner). The other two are Juan (Gustavo Quiroz) and a little girl named Lita (Julianna Gamiz), who is about five going on 21.

At first, it looks like everything is going well. Then reality steps in and chaos ensues.

Instant Family, currently in theaters, is both funny and poignant as it tackles the emotional and always serious issue of fostering and adopting.

l-r Rose Byrne, Mark Wahlberg, and Octavia Spencer

Some of the best moments in the film come from support sessions led by Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro, both of whom are hilarious. Supporting cast members also include Julie Haggerty, and Margo Martindale, who plays Grandma Sandy.  All of the supporting cast elevate the movie.

Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne and Julie Haggerty

The story is exceptional and the writing is authentic. At times the movie is a two-hanky tear-jerker. Thankfully, it doesn’t Hollywoodize the process. To its credit, the film doesn’t pull any punches or whitewash anything about the foster/adoption process. The film presents the system with its warts and all.

Whether he’s doing comedy or drama, Wahlberg is adept on the screen. He and Byrne definitely have chemistry.  Together, the two of them bring this heart-tugging story to life.

l-r Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Isabela Moner, Julianna Gamiz, and Gustavo Quiroz

The message of this movie is front and center. Lacking subtlety, it encourages everyone to consider the foster care system so, they too, can experience the warm and fuzzy feeling of family. This is a wonderful movie for this time of year. It’s a great feel-good movie, full of laughter and the good kind of tears.

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likeable), O (oh, yeah) and E (excellent), Instant Family gets an O (oh, yeah).