Kevin James is best known for “Mall Cop” and “Kings of Queens”. His comedic chops is cemented by his history in standup, established in the late 1980s.
So when I first saw the poster for Solo Mio, I couldn’t help but think that this movie is not a “Kevin James” movie.
The poster features James sitting on a stone bench, dressed neatly in a suit and holding a bridal bouquet. He looks almost wistful, staring into the distance. Additionally, the colour scheme offers no brightness. While not inherently dreary, there is a quiet calm to this photo.
Indeed, the poster perfectly summarises Solo Mio.
It isn’t a laugh out loud, in your face comedy. Instead, it is a charming, slower paced romantic vehicle.
James plays Matt, an art teacher who has planned an idyllic destination wedding in Rome for his fiancee, Heather, the Italian teacher.
However, no amount of intricate planning stops Heather from leaving Matt at the altar.
He is heartbroken and stranded in Rome. He is also saddled with a non-transferable honeymoon suite and newlywed tour package.
And so begins Matt’s solo adventure through Italy. Surrounded by newlyweds, he explores Italy on a tandem bike while taking in the sights and sounds.
Cue the typical tourist postcards that make us long for an Italian summer.
The couples take selfies at Trevi Fountain. Everyone is eating gelato, straight from the cart. Matt sits by himself on the The Spanish Steps, replaying old videos of his proposal.
At this stage, you might wonder if this movie is a front for a tourist marketing campaign. However, comedic elements ensure we stay focused on our protagonist’s predicament.
These include Matt’s new friends – Julian and Meghan, who are on their third marriage… to each other. There’s also the ethically questionable Neil, a self-described therapist. He is married to Donna… his therapist.
Julian is ever ready to spur Matt on. He is a little too excited to hear of Matt’s “conquests”, post-rejection. Neil counterbalances this with the argument that Matt needs to heal. This chaotic mix of blokeish cajoling and group therapy means that Matt is in for the non-honeymoon of his life.
Luckily, there is Gia.
Gia is the kindly, plucky cafe owner who has taken a shine to Matt, after retrieving his wallets from pint-sized pickpockets. Their rapport strengthens when Gia makes it her responsiblity to show Matt around Rome.
We can all see where this friendship is going.
Yet, there’s something wholesome about watching it unfold on screen. Nicole Grimaudo’s Gia exudes warmth and you know she’s just the balm that our devastated protagonist needs. Instead of typical first date grandeur, we see simpler moments of connection. A casual walk in the park. Lunch at a friend’s restaurant. Kneading dough with Gia’s family in Siena.
James plays the role of genial tourist well. He is not the arrogant outsider, aside from an early scene when he’s trying to communicate in Italian. He is just happy to have someone to spend some time with instead of being the creepy weirdo in a couples’ tour.
When the expected big bump in the road hits, it only rattles us temporarily. Instead of exaggerated emotional drama, the movie gently segues into an opportunity for missing pieces to fall into place, This gives the movie a satisfying full-circle finish.
Don’t walk into Solo Mio with the naivete of youth. The film won’t romance you with fancy dinners and gestures that realistically require a healthy bank account. Solo Mio is for the jaded older set. It reminds us that love can still bloom from the smallest cracks, even after devastation.
You just have to try.
Solo Mio opens in cinemas on 26th February.