They had us at Rome.
“Solo Mio,” a charming rom-com set in Italy’s capital, makes the most of the stunning locales. The sights! The music! The landscapes! The food!
The Everyman stood up at the altar!
That’s Kevin James, putting the shattered pieces of his heart back together with the help of a beguiling signora.
Sure, the elements here are far from fresh, and those pieces reassemble with alarming ease. James’ rom-com is still a delightful way to squander 90-odd minutes. Who couldn’t fall for that?
James stars as Matt, a working stiff who plots a romantic honeymoon with his schoolteacher fiancée (Julie Ann Emery) in Italy. Except his beloved never shows up to the church on time.
Distraught, Matt decides to go through the motions of his planned vacation, knowing he can’t get a refund on his investment.
Matt makes some new friends in the process, from the excitable Julian (Kim Coates) to the henpecked Neil (Jonathan Roumie). Their significant others (Alyson Hannigan, Julie Cerda) are given too little screen time, a mistake given how the movie focuses on both love AND marriage.
They collectively distract and cheer Matt up, at least as much as anyone can, given what the poor fella just endured. It’s when Gia (Nicole Grimaudo), a local coffee shop owner, takes a shine to Matt that his heart starts to mend.
James co-wrote and co-produced “Solo Mio,” but it has a softness that many of the star’s fans might not expect. Matt is authentically shattered by the marriage disaster, and it’s plain to see he’s just a big lug looking for that special someone.
Even when an attractive woman throws herself at him early in the film he has little desire to proceed. You just wanna give him a hug and tell him brighter days lay ahead.
Or, keep visiting Gia’s coffee shop.
Grimaudo is almost too perfect here, a stunner who pursues Matt with a passion that threatens to derail the film’s wobbly reality. Matt might have ditched his bride for her even if she went through with the marriage ceremony.
We later learn more about Gia’s romantic woes. Plus, James makes it easier to imagine how she sees past his imperfections to find the decent soul within.
Some obstacles stand in their way, and none of them will come as a shock. It helps that James and Grimaudo have an unforced chemistry that makes even their idol chat feel sweet, not saccharine.
Other parts of “Solo Mio” slot into place with an efficiency that can rankle. Yes, rom-coms are all about formula, but sometimes the story elements need a little texture to make them pop on screen. As is, the gorgeous Italian scenery and songs do serious heavy lifting here.
Don’t be surprised if audiences Google, “Italian vacation” after seeing “Solo Mio.”
James built a career on his shlubby shtick, exemplified by two “Paul Blart” romps. He’s 60 now, and many may see him in a brand new light after “Solo Mio.” He’s the bruised Romeo we didn’t know we needed.
HiT or Miss: “Solo Mio” delivers the rom-com essentials, plus chemistry galore between our besotted leads.