Solo Mio

Rated PG • Theaters

These days, it’s rare to find a romantic comedy in theaters. It’s even more rare to find one that stays funny without transgressing traditional social values. Perhaps this is why Solo Mio feels like such a refreshing film.

Kevin James (The King of Queens) plays Matt Taylor, a romantic guy who books an all-inclusive package for his upcoming honeymoon in Italy. Matt’s dream vacation turns surreal when he decides to go on his honeymoon alone after getting left at the altar.

Solo Mio is an utterly charming film reminiscent of the screwball romantic comedies of the 1930s and ’40s. The idea of a single man participating in the “Two Become One” package has an appealing and absurd quality, and much of the comedy comes from the other two couples who booked the same vacation. Jonathan Roumie, Julee Cerda, Kim Coates, and Alyson Hannigan play characters that function sort of like Job’s friends. They’re well meaning, but the contradictory advice they offer provides little comfort to Matt. As the honeymoon progresses, Matt’s heartbreak gives way to confusion when he crosses paths with a kind and beautiful Italian woman who takes an interest in him.

The PG film is low on objectionable content, but there are scenes of drunkenness in which Matt attempts to cope with his situation. Some out-of-the-blue moments will amuse and delight many viewers, and with a length of only 97 minutes, the story zips along. The film also benefits from the beauty and romance of its Italian setting. The plot’s romantic aspect might be a little predictable, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing because Solo Mio offers a comforting return to the love stories of the past.