So it looks like the hot romantic choices for female moviegoers at the boxoffice for Valentine’s Day are going to be Jacob Elordi and, uh, Kevin James.
If that sounds like no contest, think again. Elordi definitely turns up the heat in Wuthering Heights, coming next week, but James is getting a jump on that this weekend. The actor whose best-known starring film role has been in Paul Blart: Mall Cop has some smoldering passion as well in his latest film, Solo Mio, which benefits greatly from its setting in picaresque Rome. The premise of this Angel Studios release also makes this a fun entry in the underserved rom-com genre.
James plays Matt Taylor, who falls in love with fellow teacher Heather (Julie Ann Emery) and, after a whirlwind romance, proposes right there in front of all his students. All seems great, with a wedding planned in Rome and a special Italian honeymoon tour. But when the bride is supposed to walk down the aisle in the Roman church, she’s AWOL, nowhere in sight, and there’s only a letter left behind saying she just couldn’t do it and that Matt can do better. He is crushed, of course, but when trying to change his hotel room from the special honeymoon suite he learns it is all non-refundable and nothing can be done. So there Matt is alone, solo mio, but reluctantly deciding to go on the tour of all the sights with a group of honeymooners who also have signed up.
The script milks this situation for all it is worth as he becomes friends with two of the couples, Julian (Kim Coates) and Meghan (Alyson Hannigan), who are on their third marriage to each other, and Neil (Jonathan Roumie) and Donna (Julee Cerda), who try to ease his pain, perhaps by encouraging new romance. That comes slowly in the form of a budding friendship with Gia (Nicole Grimaudo), the lively coffee shop worker next to the hotel who seems to appreciate Matt for all the things that Heather missed. So eventually off they go to Tuscany and a visit with her family which holds a big surprise for Matt, and for that matter, the audience with an unexpected but very Italian cameo that has the effect of bringing out Matt’s hidden musical talents. But complications arise of course. We’ll leave it at that.
Coming from Angel Studios which specializes in more targeted faith-based fare and social issues in many of their films, this is a departure as it is purely adult-driven romantic comedy, and though it mostly feels like the kind of genre movie Netflix specializes in, the luscious Roman scenery, very rich italian music, and likeable cast make this an increasingly rare theatrical entry for the older audience often overlooked outside of streaming. There were several Kinnanes involved in bringing this to life including co-directors Charles and Daniel Kinnane, as well as the screenplay credited to Patrick and John Kinnane in addition to James, ditching his broader comedic instincts honed in the Blart, and Adam Sandler movies he has done, shining here as a man forced to go on a honeymoon alone. The nice thing is he keeps it grounded and real which makes him, as it turns out, an ideal romantic leading man. You feel for the poor guy, but have no doubt he will somehow find his happy ending. Grimaudo as Gia is a delightful presence that counters James perfectly, and the supporting cast, especially a very funny Coates, serve up the laughs in this one. Jared Fadel’s gorgeous and atmospheric cinematography certainly doesn’t hurt.
Producers are James, Mark Fasano, and Jeffrey Greenstein.
Title: Solo Mio
Distributor: Angel Studios
Release date: February 6, 2026
Director: Charles Kinnane and Daniel Kinnane
Screenwriters: Patrick Kinnane & John Kinnane and Kevin James
Cast: Kevin James, Alyson Hannigan, Kim Coates, Jonathan Roumie, Julee Cerda, Julie Ann Emery, Nicole Grimaudo, Alessandro Carbonara
Rating: PG
Running time: 1 hr 36 mins
English (US) ·