I’m Trevor with the Sasquatch Movie Minute with a look at SOLO MIO, directed by Charles and Daniel Kinnane, starring Kevin James. A man left at the altar decides to still take his Italian honeymoon tour; finding healing and love on the journey

 

2 out of 5

 

Well done, Paul Blart the Mall Cop! Kevin James is sweet and under-played and I appreciate him trying something so straight and sentimental, without any winking at the camera. The Italian scenery is lovely. But there is nothing new or surprising about this movie, it feels like a filmed Italian cliché. The biggest issue I have is that the Italian love interest, played by Nicole Grimaudo, is stunning, WHY would she choose to start a romantic relationship with this random schlubby depressed American?? This feels like the ultimate male dream scenario and that felt icky to me. The friend groups are meant to be endearing but come off as annoying and don’t make sense. The celebrity cameo is very oddly used, bordering on sad. It’s an agreeable, frothy ride that didn’t really move me in any way; and disappeared from my mind shortly after.

 

Best Scene. Kevin James and Nicole Grimaudo just talking after-hours in her coffee shop. There is a nice energy here, a tentative exploring, as they get to know the tiniest bit more about their paper-thin characters.

 

Best Performance. I have never seen Nicole Grimaudo before, and she is fantastic. She gives her poorly motivated character heft and presence. And even when her decisions don’t make any kind of sense, she still commits with emotional and open acting. The audience is supposed to fall in love with her and we do. I credit the filmmakers for finding an Italian actress for this role.

 

Pleasant, kind, and immediately forgotten. Check out for some beautiful Italian imagery.