"People can really just be so good", "hope in humanity restored" - these were the two phrases I had on repeat after watching Instant Family.

 

It's the story we wanted at the time we needed, and the perfect way to cap off your 2018. 

 

Instant Family introduces us to Pete and Ellie, a loving couple who feel like they missed the family-making boat by the time they come around to the idea of filling the house with kids. Soon we watch them almost physically melt when they stumble upon a foster-to-adopt website filled with kids needing families.

 

With classes, group counseling and a slightly uncomfortable "fair" of sorts, they're ready to take on that one, young kid, right? Take out the 'one' and take out the 'young' and you have their instant family.

 

Mark Wahlberg as Pete is funny and heart-warming in equal measures, melting your heart as an instant dad. But my favourite was Gustavo Quiroz who plays Juan. The hapless lad is always falling into clumsy trouble and just so, so sweet.

 

The movie handles the subject matter fairly well (and I won't pretend to understand it myself), touching on the general opinion of others when a couple decides to foster, the shortfalls of the system and the damage it can do to kids. The scene with the rubbish sacks was a huge reality check for Pete, Ellie and the audience. But overall, Instant Family plays more on the comedic side with crazy grandmas, high maintenance foster parents and all the mishaps that come with becoming a family of 5 overnight.

 

We are even lucky to witness more fantastic acting by Octavia Spencer in the film, and a wonderful Rose Byrne.

 

A satisfying all-rounder to bring on the tears of every kind, Instant Family is the cosy heart-warmer a tough world needs.