Every generation of humans has their set of families. Maybe not every family member has a line but most tend to. There are couples though who can’t decide what they want to do for starting a family. Having a family isn’t easy nor can things always turn out as expected, good or bad. As long as everyone has good intentions things should turn out okay. Having a family also doesn’t require going the natural way; adopting, surrogate and fostering children are a few options too. Well, this film explores one of those alternatives most people probably wouldn’t consider. Fostering is more like a trial period as opposed adopting right off the bat. It’s all based on one’s comfortability level too. It really depends on what everyone makes of it.
The story follows Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne), a childless couple who are looking for a little more meaning in their life. What they don’t realize is what will fill that void just yet. After speaking with some friends they decide perhaps fostering is the way to go. The kids they decide to foster are Lizzy (Isabela Merced), Juan (Gustavo Escobar) and Lita (Julianna Garniz). Written by John Morris (Hot Tub Time Machine (2010), Mr. Popper’s Penguins (2011), We’re the Millers (2013) and Daddy’s Home (2015)) and Sean Anders as well as directed several of the same pictures, this film is very much a feel good story that not only highlights the struggles of being a parent but also the rewards too. The narrative is actually quite realistic in its approach.
That is except for one part where Pete and Ellie are first learning about fostering children. Upon coming to the orphanage where they would be paired up, the people they meet and the sessions they attend seem unsupportive. Lead by Karen (Octavia Spencer) and Sharon (Tig Notaro), the two give some tips along the way in the couple’s development as well as the children. It’s understandable that many people are not ready for what they are about to agree too, but some of its treated like it was obvious. So was it intentional for the protagonists not to be told of some of their challenges they’ll face? It seems kind of wrong to do that. Overall though the story teaches important lessons about becoming a family and learning to be understanding of one and another as hard as it can be sometimes.
Characters are likable and have charm in this movie. While Mark Wahlberg is known for playing his characters fairly the same throughout his movies, the role he has here feels very much like what he could be as a real father. Also since he has starred in comedies, it’s no surprise he’s here. Rose Byrne as Ellie also has experience in comedic films although she is probably best known from Insidious (2010) and its films. Margo Martindale appears as Grandma Sandy (Pete’s mom) who has some funny lines to say too. Martindale also had roles starting in The Rocketeer (1991) and more recently in Cocaine Bear (2023). As for the foster children, Isabela Merced as Lizzy is convincing in her role considering prior to this her biggest break was Michael Bay’s Transformers: The Last Knight (2017). She would a year later play Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019).
Gustavo Escobar and Julianna Garniz are both very new to acting so there isn’t much to say on them yet other than their performances here were good too. The cinematography was handled by Brett Pawlak and looks good for what’s shot. Pawlak’s only entry at the time worth noting was Max Steel (2016). Lastly for the film score, Michael Andrews was the composer for the music. Originally starting out with Donnie Darko (2001), then Bridesmaids (2011) and Daddy’s Home (2015), the film score sounds very contemporary and is easy listening on the ears and should be so for most audiences. While the album is only thirty-six minutes long, it is a good listening experience. And although there is no memorable theme for the film, there are designated motifs for some of the characters.
Even though there’s one area in the narrative that doesn’t quite make sense, as an experience the movie is wholesomely entertaining. The music, camerawork and characters all mix well together for a film with more heart than some may expect.
Points Earned --> 8:10
