Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Bryne) are a happily married couple that flips houses for a living, think Chip and Joanna Gaines from HGTV’s Fixer Upper without the kids. Actually kids are what’s missing from Pete and Ellie’s life. A random crazy comment leads to the couple fostering not one, not two, but three children as they desperately trying to locate what’s been missing in their lives. Faced with the unknown of becoming parents overnight, the couple tries giving their new kids what THEY think the children need. What soon becomes very evident is that there’s only so much you can read to try to become prepared. Not every person or personality can be summed up by a few hundred words. As the story goes, this relationship grows and both sides will learn that there are no shortcuts, especially when you try to become an Instant Family.

Over the last decade, Mark Wahlberg serving up a box office dud in theaters is a rarity. Whether he makes movies great or he makes great choices in the movies he’s decided to be a part of is debatable, the fact that success follows him in whatever he chooses to do is not. I’ve long held to the belief that Wahlberg is not someone that you’d want to bet against, regardless of the absurdity the project in question at first glance (Ted (2012) I’m looking directly at you). And with that perspective in sight, it should come as little surprise that Wahlberg slays it in Instant Family. Everything that you’ve come to expect and love about his on-screen antics are present and accounted for in his latest work. He’s funny, charismatic, loving, tough, and just a pleasure to watch.

Rose Byrne brings the proper amount of comedic/caring ratio to her character with a very good showing. The three children, played by Isabela Moner, Gustavo Quiroz and Julianna Gamiz, were delightfully entertaining doing what children do best. At any given moment, one of them could be infuriating you while in the next, you feeling the need to smother them with love and kisses. They were coached correctly in both aspects. Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro are wonderful in their mentoring roles as they have great chemistry playing off of each other.

Sean Anders is the person that deserves a high amount of praise for producing, writing and directing Instant Family. This marks the third time that Anders has teamed up with Wahlberg with their bond being stronger now than ever. It seems as though they were both on the same page from start to finish with this project being the best movie they’ve made together. Anders biggest achievement has been his screenwriting with hits such as Hot Tub Time Machine (2010), We’re the Millers (2011) and Daddy’s Home (2015). He is the complete package with this latest one.

Instant Family is an instant hit with some solid comedy mixed in with an extremely heartfelt story. Learning that this is something near and dear to director Sean Anders because its plot is based on Anders’ own life experiences as an adoptive parent makes everything even more special. Not to get too sappy, but seeing the differences that can be made in so many lives by willing to adopt had me feeling very emotional throughout this film. I believe that there are many valuable lessons to be taken away from this family comedy, and it’s down without sacrificing the entertainment value of this movie in any way shape or form.

I will leave you with a couple of thoughts. First, take a couple of hours and head out the theater to see Instant Family. You will enjoy your time watching, laughing, (maybe) crying and learning about a subject that most have never really thought about. If you feel moved regarding the subject of fostering or adoption, the internet is your friend and I urge you to do a little research. A few websites with some good information can be found rather easily. I’ve listed a couple here (adoptuskids.org and americanadoptions.com simply to get the ball rolling if you should feel inclined. There are many ways to help.