‘Solo Mio’ Is a Creative, Charming, Hilarious, Family-Friendly Rom-Com
Michael Foust
Audio By Carbonatix
By Michael Foust, Crosswalk.com
Matt is a middle-aged man who has spent years searching for the right woman, and he’s convinced he’s finally found her. Heather checks every box – sharing his dreams, his interests, and his unique sense of romance.
She’s even a teacher, and Matt’s proposal feels like it comes straight out of a novel: in her classroom, with her students holding up “Will you marry me?” signs.
In fact, their love story seems so storybook-perfect that Matt plans a wedding in Rome, surrounded by scenic streets and ancient landmarks. Dozens of friends and family members travel overseas for the once-in-a-lifetime celebration.
But on the big day – and at the exact moment the ceremony is set to begin – Heather doesn’t show.
Matt is – quite literally – left standing at the altar, with an Italian honeymoon suite already booked and a vacation package loaded with romantic perks meant for two.
Matt begs the hotel worker for a refund, but gets nowhere.
“I would just enjoy the package myself,” the worker suggests. “Go see Italy. It's beautiful.”
“Go on my honeymoon?” a despondent Matt responds.
“It’s paid for,” the worker says with a shrug.
So Matt takes the employee’s advice, embarking on the awkward experience of tagging along with other couples on a guided tour of Italy as he wrestles with heartbreak and searches for purpose in his suddenly altered life.
It’s all part of the new Angel Studios romantic comedy Solo Mio (PG), which stars Kevin James (The King of Queens) in the lead role and Jonathan Roumie (The Chosen) as a new friend who tries to help Matt rebound. It is one of the most creative rom-coms to hit theaters in years, building toward a final plot twist that makes the film even more charming. It’s also one of the rare theatrical romantic comedies that is truly family-friendly, aside from a few tiny speed bumps (details below).
The plot turns when he visits a local coffee shop and immediately sparks chemistry with an employee, Gia, who’s drawn to his naive American bravado – including his misguided attempts to correct Italians on their own pronunciation – and his earnest charm. The plot turns again when two honeymooning husbands – traveling with their new brides – take pity on Matt after seeing him traveling alone and decide to pull him into their circle, first dragging him to a nightclub and later to an outdoor party beneath the city lights. Those two men, though, quickly prove they’re hardly a pair of wise sages, with one on his third marriage to the same woman and the other (portrayed by Roumie) having married his therapist in a twist that has everyone debating whether it’s legal.
But as Matt’s two new friends try to help him find love, his connection with Gia continues to grow – even as he keeps insisting to everyone around him that Heather remains the one. Maybe, just maybe, the wedding can still happen.
“She’s the only woman I ever loved,” Matt says.
Solo Mio soars because of what it is: a creative take on a genre that often feels stale. The script is sharp and unpredictable. James is the comedy genius that we all remember from The King of Queens and the Mall Cop series. The Italian streets and landscape give the film a postcard-like charm. The plot twist in the final 10 minutes of the movie alone makes it worth a watch.
It’s a fun film that celebrates love, romance, kindness, devotion, and friendship – all the while offering an unexpectedly wholesome message about chastity. It’s a modern-day throwback to an earlier era of romantic comedies – in the best way. It also captures the beauty of Italy, with visits to a scenic vineyard, an outdoor concert, and even an edge-of-your-seat horse race through historic streets.
For families, there are only small caveats. A late-night hotel scene initially suggests Matt is passionately embracing another woman - but it turns out to be nothing more than an inebriated Matt, alone, stumbling around and struggling to take off his jacket. (Matt tells friends he doesn't drink, but quickly imbibes.) The film also includes minor language (h-ll, 3; a–, 1).
Angel Studios has earned a reputation in recent years for crowd-pleasing, family-friendly films such as The King of Kings, David, and Cabrini. Solo Mio marks the studio’s first theatrical romantic comedy – and is one of Angel’s best films to date.
Rated PG for some suggestive material, brief language, violence, and smoking.
Entertainment rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Family-friendly rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Related Article
Jonathan Roumie Steps into Family Comedy with ‘Solo Mio,’ Aiming to Spread ‘Light’ in Film
Photo Credit: ©Angel Studios
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
