Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne play a couple who adopt three children only to find out that being parents is hard. (Courtesy) 

It’s the holiday season, therefore among the blockbusters and Oscar bait are movies of a more heartwarming nature. Right now, it doesn’t get much more heartwarming than the comedic-drama, “Instant Family.”

“Instant Family” is the story of Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie Wagner (Rose Byrne), a couple who earn their living flipping houses. When the subject of having children comes up in an argument, Pete and Ellie begin to mull over the idea of adopting a child. After attending a seminar, they get excited about the idea of becoming foster parents.

Rating: **** (out of 5)

The process leads them to meet Lizzy (Isabela Moner), a teenager stuck in the foster system with her younger siblings, Juan (Gustavo Quiroz) and Lita (Julianna Gamiz). Pete and Ellie take the gamble on taking in all three kids.

At first, things go smoothly, with both overdoing and overthinking every move they make. Then the reality of suddenly bringing three kids into their home makes them both realize they may have bitten off more than they can chew.

“Instant Family” is directed and co-written by Sean Anders, who directed both entries in the “Daddy’s Home” franchise, as well as “Horrible Bosses 2.”

The film is inspired by Anders’ personal experiences of how he and his wife adopted children. Because of this emotional connection to the material, this is easily his most mature work to date.

Despite looking like an almost two-hour cliché, this is a surprisingly touching and heartwarming project. Even though you could probably guess most of the roads this movie ventures down, it is still a nice, funny and enjoyable film that could melt even the coldest of hearts.

Wahlberg has always been a hit-and-miss actor for me. My enjoyment of his performances usually revolves around his commitment to whatever he is in. He has soared in films like “Boogie Nights,” “The Departed” and even something silly like “Daddy’s Home.” He has also been unwatchable in such dreck as “The Happening” or any of the “Transformers” sequels, where he seemed to be just there to earn a paycheck.

Here, he hits a nice balance of wacky and heartfelt. He plays to many of his strengths and does well. Byrne also delivers a great performance, but she is usually good. Even in films that are terrible, she’s usually enjoyable to watch.

The kid actors are surprisingly strong and work well when they are being comedic foils for our leads, or tugging on the heartstrings of the audience.

“Instant Family” isn’t the most original of films. It is also a movie that could potentially get lost in the shuffle of playing against a mediocre Harry Potter spinoff this week, plus a Disney juggernaut and the sequel to “Creed” next week.

This is a shame because I really enjoyed it and I think most people will dig it as well.