Instant Family (2018)

A couple find themselves in over their heads when they foster three children.

Director:

Sean Anders

Writers:

Sean Anders, John Morris

Stars:

Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Isabela Merced

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mark Wahlberg	...	Pete
Rose Byrne	...	Ellie
Isabela Merced	...	Lizzy (as Isabela Moner)
Gustavo Escobar	...	Juan (as Gustavo Quiroz)
Julianna Gamiz	...	Lita
Octavia Spencer	...	Karen
Tig Notaro	...	Sharon
Tom Segura	...	Russ
Allyn Rachel	...	Kim
Britt Rentschler	...	Linda (as Brittney Rentschler)
Jody Thompson	...	Jim
Margo Martindale	...	Grandma Sandy
Julie Hagerty	...	Jan
Michael O'Keefe	...	Jerry
Joan Cusack	...	Mrs. Howard

Storyline

Married couple Pete and Ellie Wagner, feeling a void in the marriage, visit a foster care center. Two social workers, Karen and Sharon, guide the hopeful parents on the steps to getting into becoming adoptive parents. The couples are brought to a fair where they have the chance to go up to kids that they are interested in adopting. Pete and Ellie walk by the teenagers, although Ellie shows hesitance over raising a teen, but one of the teens, Lizzie, informs Ellie that they all know no one wants to adopt the teens. Pete and Ellie talk to Karen and Sharon over potentially taking in Lizzie. The social workers inform the couple that Lizzie's mother is a drug addict who is currently in jail, and she set their home on fire because she left the crack pipe lit. They also find that Lizzie has two younger siblings, Juan and Lita. Although this seems like more of a challenge for Pete and Ellie, they agree to meet the siblings. Pete and Ellie have Thanksgiving dinner with Ellie's family, where ...

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Plot Keywords:

foster parent | adoption | parenting | childless couple | texting | 

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Taglines:

Just add chaos laughter awkwardness mistakes love.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual material, language and some drug references

Did You Know?

Trivia

On November 10, 2018, it was announced the film's November 11 premiere in Los Angeles would be canceled due to the Woolsey Fire, but that a screening would take place at an evacuation center for victims of the fires.

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Goofs

When Juan (Gustavo Escobar) drops a nail gun and literally shoots himself in the foot the film distorts reality. Although the scene correctly shows the need to retract the nose of the nail gun to shoot a nail, it incorrectly fails to account for the need to also pull the trigger of the nail gun to shoot a nail.

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Quotes

[Pete and Ellie mistakenly confront Charlie thinking he is Jacob]
Ellie: It's that kid Jacob! Hey, I saw the picture you sent to her, Jacob.
Pete: You're lucky I don't end your life right now, carrot top!
Ellie: We're going to call your mom!
Pete: You're going down today!
Ellie: So what do you think of that, Jacob?
Charlie: [sobbing] My name is not Jacob!
Ellie: What?
Charlie: It's Charlie!

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Crazy Credits

Photos of real life foster families are seen throughout the end credits, interspersed with footage of Isabela Moner performing the end credits song, 'Stay with you'.

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Alternate Versions

For the film's Australian release, the distributor chose to remove a single use of strong language in order to obtain a PG classification. This edited version of the film was later used for its DVD/Video release. An uncut M classification was available.

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Connections

References SpongeBob SquarePants (1999)

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Soundtracks

What is Life?
Written & Performed by George Harrison
Courtesy of EMI Records Ltd.
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

As someone who was a foster child...

I've literally NEVER reviewed anything before. I've never felt I needed to...

That being said - As I was a foster child this hit me square in the face. It was one of the hardest movies for me to watch. Its depiction of how the kids act is 100% accurate. Its one of the hardest things to see and admit now - Being that I'm older.

This movie needs more attention and I hope that my rating helps with that. It needs to be watched by all... I was laughing AND crying (I'm ex-Navy and a very stoic person).

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

16 November 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

Instant Family

Filming Locations:

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$48,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,504,315, 18 November 2018

Gross USA:

$67,363,237

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$120,556,201

Company Credits

Production Co:

Closest to the Hole Productions, Leverage Entertainment, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1