One of the more surprising and divinely delightful cinematic experiences of last fall was Instant Family. The based on a true story stars Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne as a couple who embark on the path to adopt and start a family. When they decide that they should adopt someone older—as they are more likely to remain in foster care without being adopted the older they get—they discover that the teenager they want to bring home, comes with two younger siblings. Not wanting to be the ones who separate these kids, they adopt all three and ladies and gentlemen… an Instant Family is born.
The heartwarming and hilarious film has arrived on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital download formats from writer-director Sean Anders (he penned We’re the Millers and was the writer-director behind the Wahlberg starrer Daddy’s Home and Daddy’s Home Two). It includes over an hour of bonus content that is just as much of a must-see as the film itself.
First, Wahlberg and Byrne have priceless chemistry. That is key to this entire endeavor working. We need to see how these two were pre-adoption and post-adoption and as such, the revolution to their lives that is rooted in major love so it can have some context. Next up on the priority list to having this movie be so magical is the casting of the three youngsters the couple adopt. The casting director for the film outdid themselves and that is no easy task finding kid actors that not only can perform at a cinematic level, but also pull off the challenging element integral to playing siblings—believable familial chemistry. Isabela Moner moves us immensely as the teenaged Lizzy, while Gustavo Quiroz (Juan) and Julianna Gamiz (Lita) are mesmerizing as the two younger siblings.
Instant Family never loses its way and becomes too syrupy or even takes itself too seriously as if it was trying to make some blanket statement about adoption and couples who have love to share and the means to support adding multiple members to their clan. This is a film that firmly knows its message and the means it takes to deliver it in a manner that is as touching as it is tender… and most importantly it is funny. Do not be surprised if you’re inspired by the film and suddenly are overcome with the desire to adopt at the most and foster children at the least.
The film never sugarcoats the experience that Pete and Ellie (Wahlberg and Byrne) go through when their family goes from two members to five in a blink of an eye. It’s real. It’s raw. And that is exactly why it is so funny. Life comes at you hard and fast and if you can’t laugh at your mistakes while learning from them, it is going to be a difficult and challenging ride. Witnessing Ellie and Pete as their learning curve gets easier over the course of Instant Family feels so authentic. It’s a rarity in modern storytelling that a film about such a rich subject as adoption doesn’t overstep its bounds or lose sight of its storytelling mission. As such, Anders deserves some serious praise and don’t be surprised if what he pursues next as a filmmaker is a richer experience than what he has done prior—not to take anything away from Daddy’s Home and its ilk!
Wahlberg and Byrne as masterful. The Australian actress and Boston born actor could not come from more different backgrounds and paths to this professional moment that finds them collaborating. Their talents come together and deliver audiences a set of parents in Ellie and Pete that does something extraordinary. It makes us feel a little less self-conscious about some of the parenting decisions we have made in our lives. That is also a rarity in the cinema. So often parents are painted in such a way that it can leave audiences feeling not so worthy or even have us questioning what on earth we are doing with our children. Witnessing Wahlberg and Byrne’s parental partnership as they learn on the fly reinforces a priceless belief that each parent needs to do what is best for them and their children, regardless of what the “experts” say or even family members who are always more than willing to share their opinions on parenthood. As the film commenced, if you had told me that Pete and Ellie would be a terrific model for parenting done right, I would have said you were crazy. It’s just that by the time those credits roll, you want to dive through the silver screen and give them a big hug.
Meanwhile, Moner, Quiroz and Gamiz give us all the feels as the three children who at the outset appear to be more challenge than the couple can handle. Their bond is portrayed brilliantly and would think that those three have a bright future in the acting game—if they so choose. Oh, and supporting players—Margo Martindale, Julie Hagerty and Octavia Spencer are astonishing as well.
Why Anders may have so hit the nail on the head with this one is that it is actually based on his own family! Meeting his real-life clan in the bonus features after witnessing his fantastic film is equally enjoyable as it is enlightening.
Mr. and Mrs. Fix-It is the most delightful of bonus features and showcases Anders’ family. deals with the story and how it is based on the director’s real life. They always say (to writers), “Write what you know.” In this case, Anders could not have achieved greatness more if he tried. Watching his family and him interact, particularly after witnessing it in fictional form, is just so darn divine, don’t be surprised if you want to watch that featurette more than once … just like the film (yes, I’m recommending this is a title that gets purchased and placed firmly in the collection for repeated viewings).
As mentioned previously, the casting of the three adoptees had to be meticulously brilliant. Kid Power shines a spotlight on that effort and showcases what each of the young thespians brought to the part and why they were cast. Their audition tapes are even included! Talk about a don’t miss!!
The adoption hearing scene is merely the beginning in the featurette Order In the Court as it takes it a step further, and kudos to filmmakers for doing so. It showcases some real foster kids who need homes. I’m not crying, you’re crying!
One of the elements in Instant Family that feels so real is the support group that Ellie and Pete attend once they get into the thick of raising these three kids. I Need Some Support illustrates the real life foster parental support groups that exist and are priceless spokes in the wheel that is fostering or adopting children. Also interesting is the inclusion of Spencer and Tig Notaro chatting up the joys and responsibilities of portraying social workers.
The Families Behind the Fair literally takes us to a real-life adoption fair, as used in the movie. Anders utilized real families as extras to further push the authenticity that the entire film embraces. The kids talk about blending into families and it is a featurette that is as touching as the film itself.
The Anders Family goes further with Anders’ real-life family and gives us an enlightening look at how the director’s three adoptive kids changed his life in the most blissful of ways.
As is shown in the movie, teen orphans are some of the toughest to place. First of all—they’re teenagers! Secondly, so many potentially adoptive parents want babies at the most, or toddlers at the least. It’s difficult and these teens without families keenly know that. Crew Inspiration spotlights some of these real teen kids and one can see how their stories helped craft the Lizzy character.
Lastly, when Instant Family and you are ready to get together again for a second viewing, turn on the audio commentary with Anders. He and co-writer John Morris give us priceless looks at the making of the movie. Anders real-life history that informed the film itself, as we all know by now, gets us some truly fascinating anecdotes that are as enlightening as they are entertaining.
Film grade: A
Bonus features: A