Instant Family

As it offers a progressive view of 21st century parenting, Instant Family extols the rewards of adoption for parents and children alike within the framework of a mainstream Hollywood comedy.

Given those constraints, it’s heartwarming yet frequently amusing, which helps alleviate the heavy-handed tendencies inherent in the material.

Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) own a successful house-flipping business but wonder about having children as their window narrows.

Their curiosity leads them online, specifically to the possibility of adopting a child from the foster-care system. They proceed with caution, meeting two social workers (Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro) who both encourage them and warn about the potential difficulties.

Although the couple intends to adopt only one child, they impulsively wind up with three siblings, the oldest of which is Lizzy (Isabela Moner), a rebellious teenager who steadfastly protects her younger brother (Gustavo Quiroz) and sister (Julianna Gamiz).

Subsequent efforts at parent-child bonding are derailed by cultural differences and by Lizzy’s resistance, stemming from hope of a reunion with her drug-addicted biological mother.

The uneven screenplay is inspired by the adoption experience of director Sean Anders (Daddy’s Home), whose three children come from the foster-care system. As such, it demonstrates insider knowledge of the process, from parental support groups to initial uneasiness on both sides to second thoughts after the fact.

The film convincingly illustrates Pete and Ellie’s underlying anxiety about adoption, and also finds humor in Pete’s naivete, such as during a focus-group session when he compares foster kids to rescue dogs or renovated houses.

Such charms are compromised by excessive exaggerations, along with an overdose of slapstick and crudeness. For example, the first montage after move-in is dedicated to sharing a bathroom. Later, some third-act contrivances put a strain on audience goodwill.

Wahlberg and Byrne convey a relatable chemistry. The two younger children aren’t developed as well as Lizzy, as their quirks are turned into plot devices. Same with some of the cartoonish and opinionated relatives.

You know where Instant Family is going, with its pattern of crisis followed by catharsis as everyone struggles to become acclimated. But given the worthwhile message, you still root for them to make it work anyway.

Rated PG-13, 117 minutes.