Yet, after finishing Solo Mio, I found the film refreshingly honest about romance, even handling the end of a relationship with a mature thoughtfulness that’s both unexpected and welcome. The script is charming, funny, and sweet. The chemistry between the leads and the supporting cast feels like it has enjoyable comedic sparks. Additionally, the movie is a romantic comedy that is lovely and earnest in its maturity. The final result will hit most funny bones, and yes, even a direct line to your hearts.
The story follows Matt (Kevin James) through videos and social media posts as he proposes to his girlfriend, Heather (Better Call Saul’s Julie Ann Emery), with the help of her elementary school class. It’s an adorable scene, some might even call it “love bombing,” but this is a movie, so let’s believe in true love for a moment. Matt proposes to Heather. She says yes, and he pays for a beautiful destination wedding in Italy. The happy couple will travel across the Boot on their honeymoon.
However, as Matt waits for his beautiful bride to walk down the aisle, she’s nowhere to be found. When he searches for her, he finds a note calling off the wedding. He tries to contact her, and Heather eventually texts back, saying she needs some space. When Matt attempts to get a refund on the honeymoon, he’s told it’s non-refundable. So, like any respectable red-blooded American male, he gets drunk and mopey. Then he embarks on the honeymoon of a lifetime, all by himself.
The journey introduces Matt to an eclectic group of characters, each revealing different shades of love. There’s Julian (Sons of Anarchy’s Kim Coates) and Meghan (American Pie and How I Met Your Mother star Alyson Hannigan), on their third honeymoon together after divorcing three times. Julian takes Matt under his wing and is determined never to give up on love. Then there’s Neil (Jonathan Roumie), honeymooning with Donna (Julee Cerda), whom he met while she was his therapist. (Yes, you read that right.)
Watching the movie, you may want to call it, The People You Meet on Your Honeymoon, as Matt encounters a lovely and charming (if slightly intrusive) barista who owns a local coffee shop, Gia (Out of the Blue’s Nicole Grimaudo). Taking him by the hand, this group of eccentric locals and fellow travelers pulls Matt into their orbit. They immerse him in the Italian countryside, its culture, food, and beauty, and gently remind him that there’s more to life than a broken heart.
Solo Mio is from Dan and Charles Kinnane, working with a script their brothers John and Patrick wrote with James. The Kinnane family and James share a long history, having collaborated on short films during the pandemic. However, their first feature together, Netflix’s Home Team, was one of the worst films of 2022. This latest venture proves that the second time’s a charm, delivering a solid romantic comedy that’s funny, big-hearted, and wears its emotions on its sleeve. The movie is also wonderful to look at, immersing you in a world that takes you to another place.
What you have here is a familiar fish-out-of-water story, but the chemistry between James and Grimaudo feels genuine and lived-in. That authenticity elevates the film beyond what the genre typically offers. Every moment they share onscreen feels natural and well-earned, grounding the romance in a way many similar films won’t take the time to develop. The script also has a subtle twist that some will object to, but if you think about it, is a perfect plot point shift. I will also add that I have never seen this done in the genre before, which was refreshing.
Does Solo Mio fall into familiar genre conventions? Yes, but the execution is spot on, which is ultimately what matters. The film works on multiple levels, even functioning as a family-friendly story that can teach younger audiences about making mature choices (that is, until it gives way to an ending that panders to most audience expectations). Yet, the immersive quality, the genuine chemistry between the leads, character-driven humor, and a satisfying emotional payoff make for a highly enjoyable experience.
You can watch the new romantic comedy film Solo Mio only in theaters on February 6, 2026, courtesy of Angel Studios.