It would be nice to think that every critic walks into each new movie with a completely open mind.
It would also be a total lie.
Ill admit it: I had pretty low expectations for the Mark Wahlberg-Rose Byrne adoption dramedyInstant Family.
Credit: Hopper Stone/SMPSP/Paramount Pictures
But now its time to admit something else: I couldnt have had it more wrong.
Its a surprisingly winning movie, packed with just the right combination of laughs and sniffles.
Damn you, Wahlberg!
Wahlberg comedies, in general, can be a bit of a dicey proposition.
He does all of that here.
Theyve just been too busy to plan a family.
Except Ellie doesnt take it as a joke.
Soon, shes scrolling through web pages of foster kid profiles in tears.
Soon, he is too.
Needless to say, its not a smooth-sailing episode ofThe Brady BunchorDiffrent Strokes.
Its hard to argue with.
Especially when its served up with such spiky laughter-through-tears sweetness.B
