Sometimes heartbreak is just the first chapter of a better story. That sentiment fuels Solo Mio, a warm, unexpectedly tender romantic comedy directed by filmmaking brothers Charles Kinnane and Daniel Kinnane. Written by Kevin James alongside John Kinnane and Patrick Kinnane, the film is a breezy, big-hearted European getaway that gently pushes its lovably insecure hero toward self-worth—and maybe even true love.
At the center of the story is Matt Taylor (James), a scruffy, sixty-something junior high art teacher who secretly holds dreams of being taken seriously as an artist – “I only do landscapes!” Matt is the kind of soft-spoken man who is always last on the elevator, and apologizes when someone else bumps into him. When his fiancée, Heather (Julie Ann Emery, American Pie), leaves him stranded at the altar during their destination wedding in Rome, the humiliation is almost too much to bear. What’s worse, the honeymoon is unrefundable!
So Matt does the only thing he knows how to do: he stays. Alone. In the world’s happiest city.
The sequences set in Rome lean into the film’s fish-out-of-water charm. Matt wanders cobblestone streets with a guidebook, anxiously scanning his phone in the hope that Heather might change her mind. His insecurity isn’t played for laughs though. James gives his Matt a wounded sincerity that plays nicely against the comedy. Yes, there are the typical pratfalls and awkward misunderstandings, but they’re rooted in characters, and James steps up admirably.
The film lovingly showcases Rome and the Italian countryside, almost turning the setting into a supporting character. Sun-drenched piazzas, busy cafés, and sweeping vistas provide a lush backdrop for Matt’s emotional reset. Angel Studios, best known for distributing values-driven Christian films like Sound of Freedom, leans into wholesome escapism here, and it works.
Matt’s emotional turning point comes when he’s rescued from a gang of teen pickpockets by Gia (Nicole Grimaudo, “Real Men”), a sharp-tongued yet compassionate Roman café owner. Gia is no manic dream girl; she’s practical, fiercely independent, and refreshingly unimpressed by Matt’s self-pity. Grimaudo brings a warmth and steel to her role, giving Gia a strength that balances nicely against James’ lovable awkwardness.
But rather than simply swooping in as a romantic solution, Gia actually challenges Matt. She encourages him to stop waiting for Heather and start engaging with the life right in front of him. Their chemistry grows gradually over espresso, countryside drives, and conversations about art and regret.
There’s an orbit of meddling friends and couples that adds a light comedic layer, while nudging Matt out of his shell. Kim Coates’ whacky Jules provides comedic support in a role that adds a bit of a salty edge to the wholesome happenings.
What ultimately elevates Solo Mio is its focus on masculine self-doubt. Yes, guys! It’s okay to talk about it. Matt’s journey isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about accepting himself and the hand he’s dealt. As a result, the romance with Gia feels earned because it grows naturally out of that self-reckoning.
No, Solo Mio won’t shatter box office records nor will it dominate awards season. But it doesn’t need to. Its pleasures are much simpler: a charming performance from Kevin James, a radiant turn from Nicole Grimaudo, breathtaking Italian scenery, and a story that reminds us it’s never too late to rewrite the narrative of our own lives.
In the end, Solo Mio isn’t just about a ruined wedding. It’s about second chances—at love, at art, and at believing you’re worthy of both.
MPAA Rating: PG.
Runtime: 96 mins
Director: Charles Kinnane and Daniel Kinnane
Writer: Kevin James; John Kinnane; Patrick Kinnane
Cast: Kevin James; Nicole Grimaudo; Kim Coates
Genre: Romance | Comedy
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote: "She was just here. And then she wasn't."
Distributor: Angel
Official Site: https://www.angel.com/movies/solo-mio
Release Date: February 6, 2026
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: Left heartbroken in Rome after a wedding disaster, a stranded groom finds his ruined honeymoon transformed by a determined local and a few meddling travelers-proving that sometimes heartbreak is only the beginning.
