Plötzlich Familie (Instant Family) 
U.S.A.
2018
Opening 31 Jan 2019
Directed by:
Sean Anders
Writing credits:
Sean Anders, John Morris
Principal actors:
Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Isabela Moner, Gustavo Quiroz, Julianna Gamiz
Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) are renovating a five-bedroom house – for what? They have no children and no perspective to have any. Online they begin to research the possibilities of adoption, which brings them to the Foster Fair and advisors Karen (Octavia Spencer) and Sharon (Tig Notaro). Expecting to adopt a baby, they come home with teenager Lizzie (Isabela Moner), and surprise! – her younger siblings Juan (Gustavoro Quiroz) and Lita (Julianna Gamiz) – all of Hispanic heritage. From then on it’s about raising children, being appreciated, understanding the situation and then coping. No problem: just “regulate, relate, and reason.”
The power of the film comes from the fast script between the various actors: “You’re doing the look.” “Nothing hard about kids.” “Come on cowgirl, let me get a hee haw.” “Damaged goods.” In the end, in spite of negative reactions from close relatives, all is well, after all, “Things that matter are hard.” Much fun, even if much is predictable, especially to anyone, having had close contact to children. The actors are fine, especially the children, who steal the show. (Becky Tan)
