Instant Family tells the story of Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) who delayed starting a family to achieve professional success. When her sister makes a comment that they will never have kids Ellie starts to panic and after a day internet exploring convinces Pete that they should adopt a child. They attend an open day at a foster care centre where two social workers; Karen (Octavia Spencer) and Sharon (Tig Notaro), provide information on a 8 week course individuals can embark on to become foster carers that Ellie and Pete sign up to.

Once they have completed the course they are invited to a family day in which prospective parents can meet children who are available to foster/adopt. After a lot of failed attempts to engage with kids, Pete heads towards the teenagers, Ellie panics and reminds Pete why they don’t want to foster/adopt a teenager. Lizzy (Isabela Moner); a fifteen year old who is part of the group of teenagers, approaches Pete and Ellie to let them know everybody had heard their conversation and it’s fine just move on. She makes an impression on the couple who decide to explore whether they can foster/adopt Lizzy. What they didn’t expect was that she came with two younger siblings too.

I absolutely love a romcom-esque movie and this ticked a lot of the boxes for me. It was easy going, light comedy, real life and totally approachable. Lita (Julianna Gamiz); the youngest sibling, is just so cute that I wanted to adopt her, Lizzy challenges them like any teenager would and Juan (Gostavo Quiroz) provides a lot of comedic relief. Sharon and Karen are also a great double act; although I did really wish that Sharon was played by Ellen Degeneres! And the support group that Pete and Ellie are invited to join as foster parents has a great range of stereotype foster parents which is hilarious; the gay couple were definitely my favourite.

There are also two opposing stereotypes of Grandma’s in the film, Ellie’s Mom is the awkward, timid type whereas Pete’s Mom; Grandma Sandy (Margo Martindale), is the over the top in your face loving and overbearing Grandma. I literally want my own Grandma Sandy. Joan Cusack also popped up for a tiny role which was her usual dry awkward comedy which I loved.

If you’re the type of person who needs an epic storyline and twists and turns this is not for you. It is definitely predictable but a great easy watch which I needed. It was great!