The filmmaking group The Kinnane Brothers (comprising seven brothers and their brother-in-law) is responsible for the latest Angel Studios release, “Solo Mio,” featuring Kevin James as a fourth-grade art teacher about to marry his fiancée (Julie Ann Emery), a fellow teacher, in scenic Italy. She leaves him at the altar, and he opts to go on the honeymoon alone. It’s amusing to watch the “King of Queens” star mope around Italy, engaging with other couples celebrating their weddings in this charming film that recalls 90s-style romcoms.
The premise of “Solo Mio,” written by Kevin James, Patrick Kinnane, and John Kinnane, doesn’t sound very funny, but it is, giving off feel-good vibes. Fourth-grade teacher Matt Taylor (James) proposes to fellow teacher Heather (Julie Ann Emery). She says “Yes”. They plan a beautiful wedding in Rome, Italy. Then on their wedding day, Heather leaves Matt high and dry. She leaves behind the ring with a letter that begins, “By the time you get this, I will be gone. Please don’t try to find me.”
Jilted at the altar in the city whose Latin name (“Roma”) spelled backward (“Amor”) means love, Matt can’t seem to catch a break. He can’t move out of the honeymoon suite, so he’s stuck sleeping alone on a bed covered with rose petals, and he’s not able to cancel the “Two Become One” honeymoon tour he purchased. A word of advice from Marcello (Alessandro Carbonara), the concierge, “If I was in your position, I would enjoy the package myself.” So, Matt follows his advice.
It’s amusing to watch Matt do things meant for couples on the honeymoon tour, including tandem bike rides, visiting the Trevi Fountain, and taking a romantic rowboat ride by himself. James makes the perfect sad sack. It’s even funnier watching the couples on the tour get creeped out by Matt’s lack of a significant other.
Those couples include Julian (Kim Coates) and Meghan (Alyson Hannigan), who divorced each other twice, making this their third go-around. And Neil (Jonathan Roumie), who married his therapist Donna (Julee Cerda).
Kim Coates steals the show as meddlesome Julian, who becomes Matt’s wingman. “Where’s your two?” he asks Matt after noticing him dining alone. “That’s personal,” our jilted protagonist replies. Julian deduces, “Oh, it’s a no-show.” Coates, known for playing volatile and gritty characters, has excellent comedic timing. It’s refreshing to see the Canadian-American actor in a lighthearted role.
You can’t have Matt sulking around Rome for the entire story, so he gets distracted by Gia (Nicole Grimaudo), a lovely single café owner who rescues him from a gang of pickpocket kids. The two become friends as she tries to cheer Matt up, inviting him to spend some time with her family in Tuscany, where we get a cameo by a famous singer.
Cinema loves hard-luck single guys looking for love, like Steve Carell in either “Crazy, Stupid Love” or “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World,” or Ernest Borgnine in “Marty.” Kevin James is perfect as the everyman who needs a little healing and a bit of love after being ditched at the altar. You feel empathy for Matt and hope he’ll rebound. Grimaudo is charming as Gia, and she and James have good chemistry. The needle drops are on point, and we get two superstar cameos to set the romantic tone. Think of “Solo Mio” as comfort food that leaves you feeling satisfied.
(3 stars)
Now showing in theaters
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