Take 55: Solo Mio
Sol Mio, which, as stated in the movie translates to “Only mine” starts Kevin James as Matt Taylor, a fourth grade art teacher who finds himself alone on his honeymoon in Italy after being left at the altar by his fiancée, Heather (Julie Ann Emery.) With every thing already paid for anyway, he is convinced to make the most of the situation and sets out to enjoy it as best he can. In this effort he meets newly married Neil (Jonathan Roumie) and Donna (Julee Ceres) and remarried for a third time, Julian (Kim Coates) and Meghan (Alyson Hannigan)who are part of the same couples tour who become his new BFFs. Most importantly, he meets Gia (Nicole Grimaudo), a Good Samaritan who runs a coffee shop that Matt begins to frequent who restores Matt’s belief in love.
After my recent slew of horror and terror, this was a breath of fresh air. I mean, Kevin James has got to be one of the most likable leading men out there. And I do mean leading man. For many, he is not what you think about when you think of the term, but he has so much charm, likability, and dare I say, and every man sex appeal. You can totally buy the idea that he can win over the lovely leading ladies he has been parred with. And there is no way you won’t fall in love with Nicole Grimaudo instantly. The casting is perfection- it is impossible to not like these people and only wish good things for them. The side characters seem like they are going to be have more to do with the story, but it really does revolve around Matt and Gia with an occasional assist by the supporting cast which I appreciated. I was afraid that Julian in particular might be a bit much based on the trailer, but even he was used wisely as a garnish and didn’t ruin the main course.
This movie is light and thank goodness for that. I can appreciate the background drop, having been to Italy myself a few years ago. They do a great job of giving a taste to the splendor and the beauty of the country. There is a magic that translates to the screen. The insighting event that introduces Matt and Gia to each other is just an act of kindness, one person looking out for another person. Humanity at its purest and best. It’s delightful.
Typical of any rom-com, there are certain tropes that you kinda HAVE to have. You can almost count it down with a stopwatch, that moments when something is introduced that jeopardizes the relationship. When it happens here, I just didn’t get it. Sure, I see where it might cause the slightest bit of friction—- I guess. But it feels like a stretch… until it isn’t . In a nice little twist, we are giving a little bit of information that makes it actually make sense.
No to say that it is not without flaws. This one is lean. It only about ninety-six, ninety-seven minutes and moves quickly. As a result, there are a couple of things that feel as though they could use some elaboration and some transitions seem a little abrupt, some actions a little odd- as if they may have been cut for time, but nothing major. I still really, really enjoyed it. My score… 8.8.
Thoughts? Or it once again gonna be Solo Mio? Leave something in the comments, even it’s just a ‘hello’ to show you are out there. And until next time…
