written by Tim Estiloz
Popular TV sitcom stars frequently aspire to break free from the rigid acting confines that their small screen comedic success has locked them into. Many may try to change that public perception with a radically dramatic departure from their laugh-track enhanced persona on the big screen. Sometimes, that strategy works for them. However, that’s usually achieved by taking a smaller supporting role in a film hoping to stand out among the more notable acting leads.
In the new film “Solo Mio”, “King of Queens” star Kevin James tries a more subtle approach by taking a lead romantic role fronting a film where his supporting co-stars take on most of the comedic heavy lifting; freeing him to tackle a mix of pathos, poignant loneliness and ultimately sweet romance with surprisingly winning results.
James portrays Matt, a grade school art teacher who asks his girlfriend to marry him in one of the most romantic locales on Earth, Rome, Italy. For Matt, it’s the dream come true of his lifetime. That is until the girl of his dreams jilts him at the altar with a case of cold feet, leaving him stuck in Rome with a broken heart and a fully paid for, non-refundable honeymoon tour with a motley group of newly married couples.
Fellow TV sitcom star Alyson Hannigan and Kim Coates play a squabbling twice married to each other, once divorced couple on the tour; along with Jonathan Roumie who married his micromanaging former therapist played by Julie Cerda. Both couples could benefit from a bit of group therapy themselves; but they put their issues aside somewhat by collectively having a soft spot for Matt and join forces to try to cheer him up past his current heartbreak.
Matt begrudgingly plods along with the two couples through the tour until he unexpectedly meets a beautiful local coffee shop owner named Gia, charmingly played by Nicole Grimaudo. Grimaudo is a wonderful longtime European actress long overdue to be fully discovered by Hollywood. If her work in this film is an example of her potential, her future stardom in American cinema shouldn’t be too far away.
Gia takes a liking to Matt and with some gentle persistence he begins to emerge from his moping mood and finds himself gradually attracted to Gia’s sweet and genuine charms. James and Grimaudo make a delightful couple displaying a sincere chemistry and completely believable warmth. However, it’s not long before Matt’s suppressed sadness over losing his former fiance threatens to sabotage his budding newfound romantic happiness.
James admirably doesn’t play his role for laughs. His character Matt is a genuinely likable schlub that the audience feels empathy for; the same as Gia and his new quartet of newlywed friends feel for him. Sure, there are a few strictly comedic, even clunky, sight-gag moments like when James reluctantly has to ride a tandem bicycle completely alone. But even that visual gag is more of a subtle display of Matt’s inner embarrassment and loneliness that makes us ( and Gia ) warmly feel for him; rather than come across as a cruel petty joke at his expense.
“Solo Mio” is a delightful romantic vehicle giving Kevin James an opportunity to shine by showing his acting potential as something far more substantial and interesting than his forgettable “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” from years ago. An unexpected highlight is James’ singing duet with none other than operatic singer Andrea Bocelli; that’s definitely not played for laughs, but instead a sincere emotional moment in the film.
Kevin James, Nicole Grimaudo and the rest of the supporting cast of “Solo Mio” create a winning combination that makes this small sleeper film a warmly satisfying Italian dish flavored with a dash of humor, plenty of romance… and sizable helping of genuine heart.
SOLO MIO: Humor, Heartbreak and Newfound Romance Italian Style
