Pub.lished Movie Reviews
Instant Family (2018)
"Instant Family" (2018) is a bittersweet, light-hearted black comedy about adoption. The narrative revolves around a forty-something couple who flip houses for a living. They come to the conclusion that they're too old to have a baby and decide, why not adopt?
However, the adoption isn't as straightforward as they'd imagined. The teen they're interested in comes with two younger siblings. Despite this, the couple decides to proceed with the adoption, figuring that fixing things is what they do best. This decision, while seemingly flippant, is loosely based on the writer's own life experiences.
The movie doesn't shy away from portraying the challenges of adopting children. The couple soon realizes that adoption is far from easy, and almost wish they could 'flip' the children like they do the houses.
The film is populated by a variety of characters, many of which are depicted as caricatures. These characters range from merely unpleasant to outright absurd. Nonetheless, the issues surrounding adoption maintain a gritty realism that counterbalances the exaggerated character portrayals.
The humour in the movie presents a unique blend of bittersweet and crass jokes, creating an interesting contrast. Some jokes are so poignant that it's hard to believe they were penned by the same authors who wrote the subsequent crude humour.
"Instant Family" is a paradoxical film, oscillating between being bitter or sweet, rooted in gritty realism or bloated with absurd caricatures, light-hearted or a dark comedy.
However, one thing the movie does exceptionally well is inspiring its audience to seriously consider adoption. Despite the portrayal of adoption as a path fraught with difficulties, or perhaps because of it, the movie encourages its viewers to give adoption a thought.
- You are uncomfortable with themes of adoption and foster care
- You are sensitive to portrayals of children in distress
- Strong language offends you, as the movie contains some profanity
- You are expecting a comedy without serious or sensitive topics
- You are not into movies that evoke strong emotional responses
- This movie is recommended for ages 13 and up due to some of its mature themes
Warning: The following may contain spoilers:
What's the deal with "Instant Family"? It's like someone took a heartwarming Hallmark movie and cranked up the dial from "warm and fuzzy" to "scorching emotional rollercoaster". I mean, one minute, you're laughing at the hilariously misguided notions of foster parenting, and the next, you're ugly crying into your popcorn. Who needs that kind of emotional whiplash? I thought this was supposed to be a comedy!
And let’s talk about the title, "Instant Family". I mean, c'mon. Nothing's instant these days, not even microwavable meals. But here we have a couple who think they can just add water to a couple of foster kids and boom! Instant family. It's like expecting to make a soufflé in a toaster. Good luck with that!
Then there's the kids, each one a perfectly crafted bundle of quirks and trauma. The teenager is a master manipulator, the middle one is a wild crybaby, and the youngest is, well, she's just an adorable screamer if she doesn't get her chips. It's like they went shopping for kids at the "buy one, get two free" section of the foster care system.
And the social workers, played by Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro, who act like they're hosting a game show rather than dealing with the lives of children. "Congratulations, you've won three traumatized children! No returns or exchanges!" I mean, who needs a therapist when you've got these two?
But the cherry on top has to be the “support group” scenes. It's like a twisted version of an AA meeting, where instead of sharing stories of sobriety, parents are swapping horror stories about their foster kids. You half expect someone to stand up and say, "Hi, my name's Bob and my foster kid set my car on fire." In fact. I think someone did say that.
But despite all this, you find yourself rooting for this ragtag band of misfits. You're somehow charmed by their haphazard attempts at parenting and their determination to make it work. So what's the deal with "Instant Family"? It's a tear-jerking, side-splitting, heartstring-pulling mess. And you know what, maybe that's exactly what a family is supposed to be.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
"Little Miss Sunshine" is a comedy-drama road film and a cult classic showcasing a dysfunctional family on a cross-country trip. Despite the discord, the family's love and care for each other shines through, much like in "Instant Family". If you're in for an emotional roller-coaster ride, this is a film you shouldn't miss.
The Blind Side (2009):If you enjoyed "Instant Family", "The Blind Side" should be your next watch. It's a sports drama film based on a true story. The story revolves around Leigh Anne Tuohy, who along with her husband, adopt a homeless, traumatized boy. As they help him overcome his issues, they discover he has exceptional football talent.
Cheaper by the Dozen (2003):"Cheaper by the Dozen" is a fun-filled family comedy featuring Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt as parents trying to balance the hectic life of their large family. It doesn't directly parallel "Instant Family", but portrays family togetherness and deep emotions just the same. It's a light-hearted movie that captures the chaos and love that comes with a big family.
Wonder (2017):If you love heartwarming family stories, "Wonder" is a brilliant film to consider. Based on the New York Times bestseller, it tells the incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters fifth grade, attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time.
Yours, Mine & Ours (2005):Another family-centric film similar to "Instant Family" is "Yours, Mine & Ours." This movie features a newlywed couple, both with children from their previous marriages, who find parenting to be more challenging than they had anticipated. The journey they undertake to form a blended family is both hilarious and heartwarming.
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