In a season when high-profile dramas for the Academy's consideration are the order of the day, we are offered a comedy in the midst of them. Usually I would wonder why a comedy would even be released during this season, until I saw "Instant Family". It definitely helped me trust in the genre of comedy after viewing it.
When Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) decide to start a family, they stumble into the world of foster care adoption. They hope to take one small child but when they meet three siblings including Juan (Gustavo Quiroz), Lita (Julianna Gamiz) and a rebellious 15-year-old girl, Lizzy (Isabela Moner), Pete and Ellie find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete and Ellie must hilariously try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood from their foster advocates, Karen (Octavia Spencer) and Sharon (Tig Notaro) in the hopes of becoming a family. This story was actually inspired by the real events from the life of writer/director Sean Anders.
Others to round out the cast are Tom Segura as Russ, Allyn Rachel as Kim, Margo Martindale as Grandma Sandy, Julie Hagerty as Jan, Michael O'Keefe as Jerry and Joan Cusack as Mrs. Howard.
This was hilariously directed by Sean Anders ("Never Been Thawed" '05, "Sex Drive" '08, "That's My Boy" '12, "Horrible Bosses 2" '14, "Daddy's Home" '15, "Daddy's Home Two" '17). Certainly this is familiar territory for Anders considering it's a comedy and it stars Mark Wahlberg whom he has worked with on both "Daddy's Home" films. But even though it's territory that he can tread easily, the characters had this certainly element of realism that would be appropriate in most dramas. Although life, in general, has its ups and downs, I feel Anders was attempting to give us the same combination in this film to, again, give it more realism so we can empathize with its characters. It was written surprising better than I ever thought it would be Anders and John Morris. I say better since the trailer did not sell this film. In fact, I came close to not seeing this at all, but considering Wahlberg was in this, how could I resist? Wahlberg truly gets better with every film he does and he has definitely proven his ability with comedy. Since these two writers have a substantial amount of good, solid work, it's no wonder why this story flowed well. Other than a couple of slightly hokey moments in script, this was hilarious and uproarious. The comic timing of both Wahlberg and Byrne was nearly perfect. And this being inspired by the real events from the life of writer/director Anders made this the more funny and poignant.
With the plethora of 'R' rated comedy films out there, it is so encouraging that there can actually be a 'PG-13' comedy that can not only be funny, but also something the whole family can see. In this day and age, how often does this happen? Hardly ever! This is a fun flick that will pull the heartstrings and give us a great message of family unity which we all could use more reminding of.
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: PG-13 118mins.
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