I attended an advanced screening of this film. All opinions are my own.

“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 in one small child but when they meet three siblings, including a rebellious 15 year old girl (Isabela Moner), they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete and Ellie must hilariously try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood in the hopes of becoming a family. INSTANT FAMILY is inspired by the real events from the life of writer/director Sean Anders and also stars Octavia Spencer, Tig Notaro and Margo Martindale.”-©Paramount Pictures

Going into watching Instant Family, I did not have really high expectations. I thought it was going to be a mediocre, slapstick film. I was surprised how much I loved this movie.

Instant Family had the perfect mix of humor and heart. There were moments that made you laugh out loud and moments that made you cry. I was really surprised to learn that it was based on the writer/director’s real life. This movie felt very authentic and relatable. I have personally never been a foster parent but I understand how overwhelming being a parent is. This feeling is captured perfectly by Mark Walberg and Rose Byrne. The supporting cast was fantastic as well. I loved Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro as the two social workers. They provided a lot of the comic relief as well.

This movie is rated PG-13 “for thematic elements, sexual material, language, and some drug references.” I thought that this movie did have quite a bit of language and some sexual material. I feel it is appropriate for teenagers and adults. I think the younger kids should stay home for this one.

I loved Instant Family and will be watching it again.