Despite the film’s title, “Solo Mio,” Matt Taylor (Kevin James) manages to stay solo for about ten minutes. 

Sidelined at the altar in Rome, the upheaval of his life at nearly 60 years old leaves Matt confused and clutching at straws to try to restore his severed love life. By means of unsolicited help from strangers, luster returns to the Italian countryside. 

The story of “Solo Mio” begins with protagonist, Matt Taylor, refused a refund for his honeymoon tour and reluctantly determining to carry out his honeymoon unaccompanied. Awkwardness immediately ensues when Matt sticks out like a sore thumb among the other couples on the tour. But, as fate would have it, one of the very first mornings brings the introduction of a pretty “coffee lady,” Gia (Nicole Grimaudo).

Still, Matt neglects to tell Gia about his romantic past.

Matt craves connection out of a fear of being alone. In his late middle age this fear begins to cripple him and becomes the only reason he forced his previous relationship to work for so long. The strangers alongside him on this tour attempt to engage him in friendship throughout. He wants nothing if not a life partner; his desires amount to feeling safe and settled. He simultaneously believes the last thing he needs is help processing his loss. He’s simple and sweet. He loves Ed Sheeran’s music. Wearing a brave face, Matt is lovable and pathetic. 

Gia encourages him to live his life boldly, to sing in front of strangers, dance freely, and showcase his artistic abilities. This strategy feels foreign to Matt, and he declines her invitations throughout the film. 

People say opposites attract, but Matt is consistently passive and witless, while Gia is portrayed as fun, successful, and interesting. The actors completely sell their characters. As we see in moments surrounding Gia and Matt’s first interactions, Gia is a helper at heart, a saviour of the struggling. By the end of the film she will change him, but the initial stages of her and Matt’s relationship don’t make sense without understanding this aspect of her nature, and it will remain relevant throughout the film.

Gia and Matt spend a lot of time together. The tour group takes a trip down to Tuscany and Matt, citing his extra ticket, suggests Gia come as well. Gia has family near Tuscany and is fast to host the troupe for a meal in her home during their stay. While in her family home, Gia’s uncle is revealed to be none other than Andrea Bocelli, leaving their guests starstruck. Matt develops insights into Gia’s interpersonal relationships and the connection between Matt and Gia is obvious by this time. 

Over this trip their relationship takes a turn, not only has it escalated, but we see Gia appearing more invested in Matt than vice versa. This is a shift from what the audience was originally set up to expect. Gia’s is completely wrapped up in her identity as a do-gooder. Matt may be more acquiescent than Gia, but he is actually more established in his identity, which is perhaps what makes Gia so originally attracted to him and what makes him more able to think rationally about their relationship. 

“Solo Mio” is a quintessential feel-good movie with rapidly evolving conflict and resolution. Until the very last scenes, character development suffers for the sake of constant new intrigue and the motivations driving the plot may seem arbitrary, but between stunning scenery, heartfelt moments, and copious laughs, you can’t regret experiencing this movie and the 96 minutes of your time it entails.

This movie can easily be what you make of it and it will keep you on your toes. If you’re in the mood to cry, you’ll cry; to laugh, it’s inevitable; to have your cynical, broken heart believe in love again, it’s perfect.