Few would argue that parenting is a rewarding but difficult experience. Just imagine, then, going from having no kids to three foster kids in a single day. Sean Anders’ new film, “Instant Family,” gives a realistic glimpse at how that scenario would pan out.
Based Anders and his wife’s real experience with fostering children, “Instant Family” follows the story of a young married couple named Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne), who decide that they want to start a family. They explore foster care and adoption, and eventually choose to take in not one child, but three siblings, including one extremely rebellious teenage girl.
In a matter of days, Ellie and Pete go from being a tiny, peaceful family of two, to a full-fledged family of five.
If the film’s two-minute trailer is any indication, viewers can expect great humor and a heartwarming chemistry between Wahlberg and Byrne. The trailer highlights many humorous parts, as well as some deeper emotional moments that come as the couple learns how to care for and love the children under their care.
Sean Anders is known for movies like “That’s My Boy” and “Daddy’s Home,” but “Instant Family,” appears to take a slightly different tone.
According to IndieWire, the film’s story line is very similar to what Anders’ family went through when they decided to do foster care and adoption.
“When my wife and I got involved in foster care to adopt, when we first were taking the classes and such, we were really surprised that we didn’t know anything about it — from movies or from TV,” Anders told Entertainment Weekly. “The actual process of it was a complete mystery to us.”
“The adoption picnic that my wife and I went to was one of the craziest things I’ve ever been to in my life,” he added. “You just don’t know how to engage in this situation … We’re not supposed to go up to kids who we don’t know and talk to them! The fact that they even have these events is so weird. It was a very uncomfortable event to attend, but at the same time, it was really good for us, because it was one of the first times where we could look around and just see all these kids.”
The film also stars Isabela Moner, Tig Notaro, Margo Martindale and Octavia Spencer.
“Instant Family” hits theaters on November 16.