SOLO MIO (2026)

Genre: Romance/Drama
Director: Charles Kinnane, Daniel Kinnane
Cast: Kevin James, Nicole Grimaudo, Kim Coates, Alyson Hannigan, Jonathan Roumie, Julee Cerda, Julie Ann Emery, Caterina Silva, Alessandro Carbonara, Andrea Bocelli
Runtime: 1 hr 36 mins
Rating: PG
Released By: Shaw Organisation
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 14  May 2026

Synopsis: A wedding disaster leaves the groom stranded in Rome, heartbroken in the world's happiest city. But with one determined local-and a few meddling vacation couples-in his corner, his ruined honeymoon becomes an adventure he never expected. Because sometimes heartbreak is just the first chapter of a better story.

Movie Review:

Let’s get one thing straight: Solo Mio is not a Happy Madison Productions film, despite starring Kevin James. Instead, it’s backed by the faith-based indie studio Angel Studios and directed and written by brothers Chuck Kinnan and Dan Kinnan, two of eight siblings involved in the project. The duo previously collaborated with James on his comedic YouTube series, The Sound Guy.

Here, James delivers one of his most earnest dramatic performances in a romantic story set against the picturesque backdrop of Italy. He plays Matt, a gentle art teacher who is left at the altar when his fiancée, Heather (Julie Ann Emery) chickens out. Rather than cancel the trip, Matt follows through with the honeymoon plans on his own, eventually meeting Gia (Nicole Grimaudo), a warm and charming barista at a local café.

By this point, the film’s trajectory is fairly predictable and that becomes clear well before the halfway mark. The question isn’t where Solo Mio is headed, but how it chooses to get there. The answer: through sun-drenched Tuscan landscapes, a gently blossoming romance, and a steady stream of feel-good moments. Yes, it checks all the expected boxes, but it does so with a sincerity that makes it easy to go along for the ride. The Kinnan brothers seem intent on ensuring audiences fall in love not just with Matt and Gia, but also with the irresistible charm of Rome and Tuscany.

The supporting cast adds a touch of eccentricity. Fellow honeymooners, concerned (perhaps overly so) about Matt’s emotional state include Jules (Kim Coates) and Meghan (Alyson Hannigan), a couple somehow navigating their second divorce and third marriage to each other, as well as Neil (Jonathan Roumie) and his therapist wife Donna (Julee Cerda). These characters, particularly the men, evolve into Matt’s unlikely companions and unofficial therapists, dispensing plenty of questionable and occasionally insufferable advice about love and marriage.

Complications arise with Gia’s ex, Vincenzo (Giancarlo Bartolomei), who conveniently owns the café where she works and remains embedded in her family life. Whether this is cultural nuance or narrative convenience is debatable. The film does stumble in places, with a few plot points especially a late-stage revelation that threatens Matt and Gia’s relationship feeling forced and lacking real emotional weight.

Still, if you enjoy romantic comedies like Runaway Bride or The Wedding Singer starring Adam Sandler, Solo Mio should be right up your alley. It’s a reminder that movies don’t always need to be life-changing—they just need to be entertaining. That said, the film does carry a simple but resonant message: every cloud has a silver lining.

Adding to its charm, legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli makes an appearance as Gia’s uncle, culminating in a memorable duet with James. It’s an unexpected highlight that underscores James’ versatility as a performer, one of the more underrated comedic actors capable of balancing humor, romance, and drama.  

Movie Rating:

(Solo Mio is ultimately, an old-fashioned romantic escape—best enjoyed with a slice of tiramisu and a cappuccino)

Review by Linus Tee