Pete and Ely decide to adopt a child because they do not have children. Suddenly, the couple met three brothers together rather than one. Things are different when Pete and Ely decide to adopt three children, including a 15-year-old rebellious daughter. Soon, both discover that the family needs careful planning with three new members among them, and that they have to be ideal parents.
There's genuine heart and feeling scattered throughout Instant Family, enough to make one wish it would stick to a consistent tone without being repeatedly undercut with forced gags.
Wahlberg and Byrne have great chemistry and excellent comedic timing. Moner is thoroughly believable as the smart, vulnerable, and conflicted older sister who accuses Ellie of being a fake mom and Pete of being a white savior.
The laughs are sometimes silly, but often come as moments of relief that the family has made it through something tough. The emotional scenes - both happy and sad - are genuinely emotional. The dark moments are genuinely dark.
While the pace of Instant Family can be relentless, with the supporting cast and a whole lot of genuine authenticity, Anders hits that sweet-spot of hilarious and heartwarming.
I don't know how this happened, but...INSTANT FAMILY is good. It's honest, it's funny, and it resists the temptation to drown the proceedings in sentimentality. Look, I'm as stunned as you.
