Based on writer-director-producer Sean Anders’ own experience adopting foster* children with his wife, the movie stars an appealingly matched Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne.

Wahlberg and Byrne play Pete and Ellie, married professional house flippers* in Atlanta. Triggered by a comment made by the husband (Tom Segura) of Ellie’s baby-crazy sister (Allyn Rachel) — “They’re obviously never having kids” — the couple, who indeed have been putting off “the conversation,” decide to consider foster care adoption. It only takes one look at a website teeming with* photos of adorable kids in need to transform the protagonists into breathless parents in waiting.

Pete and Ellie start attending meetings with a diverse group of prospective foster moms and dads.

The couple’s process moves forward at an “adoption fair” — Anders gets a giggle from the sight of adults literally elbowing each other out of the way en route to the cutest tykes* — where they connect with three siblings whose mother’s substance abuse* has left them in and out of various homes and courts. Before long, 15-year-old Lizzy (Isabela Moner) and her little brother and sister, Juan (Gustavo Quiroz) and Lita (Julianna Gamiz), are moving in with Pete and Ellie.

The younger kids each have a defining “problematic” trait*: Cute-as-a-button Lita is prone to furious meltdowns* over things like being told she can’t eat chips for dinner, while fragile Juan collapses into tears at the slightest mishap*. Pretty, self-possessed Lizzy is comparatively complex: wary and watchful, but charming when she wants to be, and more than a bit rebellious*.

Wahlberg and Byrne work off each other like pros, even if the screenplay confines their characters in stereotyped ways: He’s a likable lunkhead*; she’s more uptight and frequently angry.

Anders smooths his story’s edges, delivering a broad, nice mainstream entertainment. Although there are setbacks and tears aplenty in this tale, little is unresolvable. The movie is, above all, a chronicle of good intentions and heartening outcomes.

(SD-Agencies)