Another week, another screening, and this time, it was a romantic comedy, a genre I haven’t seen much from in terms of new movies in the past decade.
Over the past decade, we’ve had to deal with political turmoil and a global pandemic, and with CGI ruling the big screen, rom-coms haven’t exactly been the bread and butter of movie theaters. Since 2015 and the past year specifically, my own thoughts have been taken over by the unnecessary drama being created by the current elected leader, so I’ve been trying to watch more light-hearted fare.
Enter Solo Mio, what I termed, a family-friendly rom-com. It’s not a bro comedy, slapstick rife with physical humor, or a romantic movie that can’t decide if it’s a drama or comedy. I deem any movie that I can watch with my parents or nephew and not cringe as “family-friendly” aka, no sex nudity or violence. Solo Mio’s intention is pretty clear from the start. It wants to warm your soul.
Kevin James takes on the lead role, Matt, as a man left at the altar and decides to go on his honeymoon alone. He is joined by two other couples, including Alyson Hannigan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, How I Met Your Mother and American Pie fame. I’ve missed her acting and humor, so glad she is back in roles like this. The key relationship in this movie isn’t with Matt and his intended wife, but with a café owner, Gia. Matt has always lived by the rules, and does what is expected of him, but she gets him to loosen up.
The other key characters in the movie are the setting and the music. You can’t beat Rome and Tuscany for a setting. Though its been over 20 yeaes, I will never forget the two weeks I spent there as an 18 year old after graduating high school, and six weeks during a summer study abroad with 23 other girls, and one guy, and our two wonderful professors, Dr. English and Dr. Longman. Half of the movie is set in Rome, with the honeymooning characters doing sightseeing around the city, and the other half in Tuscany as they set off on a planned and somewhat detoured adventure.
I won’t spoil it for you, but the music is central to the movie. I will provide hints though – Ed Sheeran and Andrea Bocelli. Their music being included definitely helped pull me in even more. Yes, I’m a romantic at heart, albeit a cynical one.
One other note – i love that a male lead took on the rom-com genre. For decades now, rom-coms have been dominated by female leads, and we’ve come to expect that. When isbthe last time you saw a lead like Tom Hanks dominate the genre? Meg Ryan and Julia Roberts ruled the genre in the 90s, followed by Sandra Bullock, Kate Hudson, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston and Anne Hathaway. Kevin James is not who I was expecting to revive the genre for a male lead. The majority have been the heartthrob types like Matthew McConaughey. I hope this isn’t James’ last foray into rom-coms.
On a side note, I had never heard of Angel, the production company for the movie, so I did some research. It was founded by a Mormon family, the Harmon brothers, who wanted family-friendly content that they could watch with their families. Some of the content is Christian-themed, but not all. So if family-friendly content is up your alley, stay tuned for more from Angel.
If you and your loved one, or your friends are looking for a fun rom-com to battle the winter blues, this is a great option!
Sravanthi Meka 