Over break, I saw the movie “Instant Family” with a few of my friends. At first, I was not excited to see the movie because of where we were seated. Almost every single seat in the theater was full except for three in the very front row. The movie, at least to me, was immediately off to a bad start.

As it started, I could see I would love the acting in the film. Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne, who I recognized from other films that I like, star as Pete and Ellie Wagner, a married couple who flips houses. The Wagners love to take on challenges, so they decided to adopt a family.

Although the movie experience started off badly, the movie itself surprised me with a great description of how the adoption process works. The movie did an amazing job on showing that life will not be all fine and dandy once families add a new member. The movie shows that for some people, living with their adopted kids is a struggle at first, but through therapy, learn how to act as a family.

Pete and Ellie adopt three kids, and it is the biggest struggle they have ever had before. They adopt 15-year-old Lizzie, 10-year-old Juan, and 6-year-old Lita. Once the Wagners take these kids in, their lives becomes hectic. They struggle to connect with the kids at first, as the kids are all different ages and personalities, and they do not know how to properly discipline them. Adopting the kids also put a strain on the couple’s relationship.

*SPOILER ALERT*

Once Pete and Ellie are finally starting to feel like they have a real family, the mom of the three children, Carla, appears and wants to take her kids back. This tears at the heartstrings of both the family and the viewers. I shed a tear or two while Pete and Ellie struggled to keep the kids as their own.

In the end, the family ends up together because Carla begins using drugs again, which is the original reason she is separated from the kids. Although it is sad for her, the Wagners end up with all of their adopted children.

I really enjoyed this movie, even as I was sitting in the very front row of the theater. “Instant Family” is definitely a good film to see if you are up to shed a tear or two. The movie is really touching, and it shows the bonds between adopted children and their adoptive parents. I would recommend this movie to those who love a good, heartwarming film and would advise you to bring a box of tissues.