Vulture
When it works, it's genuinely funny and moving. But when it doesn't, hoo boy, it's atrocious. But it mostly works. I think. Maybe.
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Instant Family
Rose Byrne and Mark Wahlberg adopt three kids and find themselves in over their heads in this comedy from Daddy's Home writer-director Sean Anders.
The couple initially hopes to take in only one young child but when they meet three siblings, including a rebellious 15-year-old girl (Isabela Moner, Sicario: Day of the Soldado), they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight.
2019Rating: M118 minsUSA
Comedy
- Director:
- Sean Anders ('That's My Boy', 'Daddy's Home', 'Daddy's Home 2')
- Writer:
- Sean AndersJohn Morris
- Cast:
- Mark WahlbergRose ByrneIsabela MonerOctavia SpencerEve HarlowJulie HagertyTom SeguraTig Notaro
Instant Family / Reviews
Variety
You could call it sentimental and glib and say that it was put through a processor, and you'd be right, but in its on-the-nose cookie-cutter way this slice-of-life pablum has a lite humanity.
Full reviewTime Out
There's genuine heart and feeling scattered throughout Instant Family, enough to make one wish it would stick to a consistent tone without being repeatedly undercut with forced gags.
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The New York Times
Every hurt gets a balm applied real quick, the better to get to the next classic-rock-scored feel-good montage.
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Stuff
At it's best, Instant Family is a likeable and admirable film. And at its worst, it's still a lot better than the film I was half-expecting to see. Bravo.
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Rolling Stone
It's a shame that "Instant Family" reduces the complexity, pain and joy of parenthood to a multiplex-palatable family comedy. The real story is probably far more interesting ... and hopefully funnier.
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Newshub
While of course this is a Hollywood take on it all, it still pulses with real authenticity, unafraid to deliver on the more confronting aspects of the process while at the same time seeing the humour and the heart in as much of that as it can.
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Hollywood Reporter
It's genial and spirited and - unsurprisingly, given its genesis - has at least a basic feel for life as it's lived, full of stings and surprises.
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