Solo Mio

Valentine's Day just came and went, and this year we chose to do something a little different from our norm. For several years now, we've chosen to go see the local hockey team play for Valentine's Day. It was a tradition started when the kids were younger. This year, we ventured out for breakfast, an early movie, and then tattoos. We chose to go out early to avoid crowds as much as possible, and let's face it, we're getting older, so bedtime is earlier. 

Anyway, we decided to venture to the movies rather than go to the hockey game or watch a movie at home. We chose the new Kevin James movie released by Angel Studios. Of course, you probably know who Kevin James is--the King of Queens, Paul Blart, Mall Cop--he's also graced the screen in several Adam Sandler creations. In this romantic comedy he portrays Matt Taylor, a middle school art teacher who, thinking he has found the love of his life, plans a beautiful wedding and honeymoon in Rome. 

Notice I said "thinking he has found the love of his life". Sadly, his fiancèe, Heather left him at the altar. Matt is devastated, but he allows the hotel concierge to convince him to stay in Rome and enjoy all the things he has reserved for his honeymoon--alone. After all, how often does an art teacher from America get to experience the sights and sounds of Italy? 

Along the way Matt meets Jules (Kim Coates), Neil (Jonathan Roumie), Meghan (Alyson Hannigan)), and Donna (Julee Cerda) who are all on the same honeymoon tour. Their antics create laugh-out-loud fun in what could have been a somber, sad story. With the help of local, Gia (Nicole Grimaudo), and his new friends, Matt begins to see that life does continue after Heather. 

Language buffs like me will enjoy hearing Italian spoken throughout the movie--I must confess I found myself practicing the Italian that I've been learning on DuoLingo. The backdrop for the action is beautiful--the movie was filmed on location in Rome and Tuscany. Look for a surprise appearance by someone I never expected to see in a Kevin James movie as well as some behaviors from the main character that surprised me. Whether those were simply the character or the man himself, I don't know, but I hope it's the latter because it is a reminder that even an actor known for a specific genre is a multi-faceted individual. 

One disclaimer about this movie--if seeing drinking to the point of drunkenness bothers you, this might not be the show to see. The drinking in the movie leads to some of the hilarious antics throughout the movie. Of course, there is hilarity that occurs without any alcohol involved at all. As they say, "When in Rome..."

Overall, I enjoyed our trip to the movies. I found myself laughing harder than I had in a while, and I also found myself feeling sympathy for Matt as he tried to move forward after his life was flipped upside down.  I recommend giving Solo Mio a shot if you're looking for a fun romantic comedy.