Instant Family is the perfect American comedy movie with its mixture of heartwarming moments and laughs. The movie is based on director and co-writer Sean Andres’ real life story of adopting three children out of a foster care system. The film was produced by Paramount Pictures and came out in theaters on November 11, 2018 as rated PG-13. It is a comical, pleasant and a feel good movie for families. 

The film stars Mark Wilaberg and Rose Byrne as Pete and Ellie Wagner, house flippers living in California who decide to foster children after putting aside a family for a while. The three young children they adopt are played by Isabella Moner, Gustavo Escobar and Julianna Gamiz. 

The movie focuses on the battles and gains of adopting multiple children through the foster care system. The Wagners adopted Lizzy, a 15 year old girl with a mom who was battling a drug addiction. The Wagners soon knew that the two younger siblings also needed to be adopted. They decide to go through with foster care to prove they can be good parents and support the cause of adoption.  Pete and Ellie learn the struggles of instant parenthood in the hope of becoming a family. 

The movie’s main focus is on the topic of fostering children. The movie does not shy away from how hard fostering can be, if anything, it gradually leans into the difficulties of fostering. The film definitely does a public service about the foster system but packages the difficulties with charming comedy that makes sure the plot is not overly preachy. The judgment is reserved for the viewers who take the responsibility of fostering too lightly, but has its moments of showcasing the importance of foster care. 

The acting by Walberg, Byrne, Moner, Quiroz and Gariz helped exemplify the storyline of foster children. The plot provided quick action and complications, pulling viewers in every step of the way through the heartwarming moments and the comic relief ones. The actors portray the emotions that come with adoption and parenting to relate those emotions to viewers who are in similar positions.  The scene where Wahlberg cries over how proud he is to adopt his children was filmed with the intent of emotion with zoomed-in features and sad music. 

Instant Family is an inspiring movie for any viewer who loves movies that leave one with a feel-good emotion. The movie balances humor and heart to convey its message. It is a must-watch movie for individuals who want a touch on the importance of family.