Instant Family: A Home Run for a Small Voice

By Liz Steeves

Good news, it’s not another Hallmark movie! And better news, Instant Family (2018) manages to be comical without making fun of the foster care system! 

Every family has their own conflicts, some just happen to involve a giant panda bear.

​These were my two fears going into the film, but in the end,  I was very pleased with the way director Sean Anders presented such an important topic. Anders is able to give the audience a taste of the heartache of fostering and adopting kids in a such a reflective and comical way. While still managing to fight for the importance of family, without going too far into chick flick territory. In fact, there was at least one satisfying punch in the film (by the jacked Mark Wahlberg), officially clearing it from such a label.

Pete (Mark Wahlberg), and Elle (Rose Byrne) treat Lizzy (Isabela Moner), Juan (Gustavo Quiroz) and Lita (Julianna Gamiz) to a nice family moment.

The film follows the decision of a husband and wife, Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne), to adopt not just one teenager but her two younger siblings as well. This kind of story is so important to share on the silver screen, because so many people are unaware of the heartbreaking numbers and statistics that children in foster care face. With this, I was extremely pleased to see that the film contained real data, regarding the number of children in foster care as well as the devastating situation that follows aging out of the system. While I would have liked to see more statistics worked into the dialogue, I think Anders did a good job pulling at the audience’s heartstrings without making them so overwhelmed that they left with a bad taste in their mouth. 

Director Sean Anders with wife, Beth, and their three adopted children - inspiration behind the film.

​This story was actually inspired by Sean Anders and his wife Beth’s decision to adopt three siblings out of foster care years before. Anders was therefore able to tell his story in such a way that sheds a true and positive light on the decision to adopt, particularly older kids. Furthermore, Maraide Green, a former foster child, was hired on to the film as a consultant, she was essential in how a lot of the sensitive information was communicated, particularly the attitude toward the children’s birth mother. Anders’ others films however, are not known to be this… respectful. Films like Daddy’s Home, We’re the Millers, and Horrible Bosses 2, are known for being screwball comedies, but Anders and his crew’s representation of his story and the stories of others definitely hit a home run. 

Pete (Mark Wahlberg) gets to experience his very first proud dad moment

Casting Mark Wahlberg as the Pete, the dad in training, was an amazing and vital choice that added a lot to the film. Everyone views Mark as a man’s man, but they also recognize that he isn’t afraid to care about the important things in life, like family. As Mark runs a restaurant chain Wahlburgers with his family. Furthermore, he is a devout Christian and father of four, and is always willing to stand up for his values and morals.

One of the many important messages in the film, is portrayed in that the audience is able to see the struggle of the couple, without them throwing in the towel, no matter how appealing that may sound to them. This is very relevant especially concerning foster children, because a lot of children are toasted from house to house and learn not to trust people. As a result, they will always test the supposed ‘love’ of the people taking care of them, but it is when you pass the test that their love and family will knock your socks off.

No matter what food you're covered in, there is always a teachable moment; but for who? The kids or the adults?

Pete and Elle in the film worried that they had to be a special kind of people to do something as extraordinary as adopting kids, but they soon discover that all you need is love. The film doesn’t aim to send you out of the theater and right to the adoption agency, but it aims to get rid of a lot of the negative connotations that have grown around the idea of adoption, particularly of a teenager. Instant Family is an honest, and heartfelt story that is sure to bring you and your family closer this holiday season.