Director Reveals His Own Adoption Struggles Inspired New Mark Wahlberg Movie

Adoption is a long misunderstood, admirable, and sometimes frightening experience — yet the process has not been the subject of many Hollywood stories.

The subject would seem to be a bottomless well of comedy, drama and genuine heart, but few scripts on the subject have seen the light of day.

Enter Sean Anders (pictured above left).

Known for such hit comedy films as “Daddy’s Home” and “Daddy’s Home 2,” the director came to his latest project from a very personal place — he and his wife struggled through the process of adopting three children.

Two years into the adoption experience, Anders and his writing partner, John Morris, decided that the stories Anders had been telling his friend about his life were more than worth a movie.

The two scripted “Instant Family,” a film about a middle-aged couple (Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne) who realize they may have gotten in over their heads by adopting three children.

“Instant Family” is the rare fall film that tugs at the heartstrings while almost always feeling authentic.

Anders told LifeZette by phone that though “Family” is from a personal place, it’s still a work of fiction.

“It’s inspired by my own story, but also inspired by a lot of other families’ stories,” the director said.

He revealed there are “many elements” from his own life, but the main similarity is the emotional journey of the two main characters and their relationship to their three children.

In finding a balance between comedy and drama — not to mention fiction and reality — Anders took inspiration from “Breakfast Club” director John Hughes.

Anders said early in his career, he had the opportunity to spend a couple of hours on the phone with Hughes — and the director gave him advice he has never forgotten, advice he especially used on this latest project.

“It’s not the size of a laugh that counts. It’s how that laugh feels,” Anders recalls Hughes telling him.

Anders himself added, “I completely agree with that.”

Anders said his film’s story is similar to the adoption process in that it is “heartbreaking, heartwarming, heart-wrenching, but it’s always funny.”

The movie also marks his third team-up with Mark Wahlberg (above right) after the two “Daddy’s Home” movies.

The director revealed it’s a strong work ethic and need to be prepared that Wahlberg and Anders share.

“I love it because Mark comes in, he’s all business, he’s ready to go,” Anders said about his leading man, adding that the “Boogie Nights” star not only knows his lines, but everybody else’s, too. “He’s so prepared and so on top of things.”

“Mark likes to be prepared and Mark likes to hustle and I like both of those things also,” the director added.

Anders said he would be a happy man if he did nothing more than direct Wahlberg movies the rest of his life — and that’s just about the highest compliment a director can pay an actor.

Check out the trailer for “Instant Family” below: