On the day of his Rome-based wedding, Matt Taylor finds himself left at the altar by his fiancée, Heather. Rather than return home, Matt decides to stay in Rome in case Heather changes her mind and returns to him. In the meantime, he’s convinced to enjoy his honeymoon in Rome on his own. What follows is a heartwarming and reflective journey that leads Matt down the road to possibility.

Most of what I know of Kevin James is his work with Adam Sandler, which is, honestly, pretty hit or miss for me. But in Solo Mio, he leaves slapstick comedy behind and delivers a vulnerable, grounded performance while still nailing the comedic beats without being over-the-top. He shares just the right amount of chemistry with Nicole Grumaudo, who plays Gia, a lively local who helps him discover Rome’s beauty and encourages him to embrace the things he’s always kept at arm’s length.

Helping Matt along his journey is a quirky ensemble of fellow honeymooners, including a pair who have divorced and remarried each other several times, and a therapist who somehow wound up married to her former patient (yikes). They bring plenty of laughs and clearly see it as their mission to nudge Matt forward in his blossoming romance with Gia, offering guidance and unsolicited advice in equal measure. Italy itself is also an important supporting player. With its charming cafés, gorgeous, sunlit streets, and picturesque landscapes, the city frames Matt’s journey of self-discovery.

But for me, Solo Mio truly shines in its breezy tone and leisurely pacing. It leans into the genre’s familiarity, so yes, there are some predictable moments, but hey, for lovers of rom-coms, that predictability is part of the fun. Solo Mio isn’t looking to subvert the genre, but to offer comfort and to remind us that life isn’t over when things don’t necessarily work out the way we might have planned.

Solo Mio is a rom-com grounded in late-blooming love and self-acceptance that are rarely explored in mainstream cinema. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s not trying to be. While some may wish for sharper narrative stakes, the movie’s relaxed rhythm ultimately works in its favor. It allows the emotional arc to unfold naturally. By the time Matt’s story reaches its romantic turn, it feels earned rather than convoluted.

It’s a satisfying movie for any lover of the genre, and a great pick for a rainy afternoon – or even Valentine’s Day!

Watched: 02/08/2026
Notable Song: Photograph by Ed Sheeran