Kevin James' New Rom-Com Gets Mixed Reviews Despite Italian Charm

Angel Studios takes its first swing at romantic comedy with this Kevin James vehicle. You can probably predict the formula already. That predictability isn't necessarily fatal, but it doesn't help either. The film lands squarely in mediocre territory.

The Plot Breakdown

Matt Taylor gets ditched at the altar in Italy. His bride-to-be Heather tells him she's sticking around but doesn't want him searching for her. So Matt decides to take their planned honeymoon solo, wandering around Rome and trying to piece his life back together.

He meets new people. Finds potential romance. Discovers himself again. Standard stuff.

What Actually Works

Two things save this movie from complete disaster. Kevin James brings his natural likability to the role. You genuinely want him to succeed. When Matt hurts, you feel it. When he's happy, you're rooting for him.

The real standout is Nicole Grimaudo as Gia, who runs a cafe where she meets Matt. Most American audiences won't know her from her Italian film work. They're missing out. Gia jumps off the screen with personality and charm. You understand immediately why Matt falls for her.

She's smart, confident, beautiful. The complete package. Grimaudo could drop into any romantic comedy and elevate it instantly. She sees potential in Matt that he's forgotten about.

The Italian locations provide the second major asset. Filming on location always beats soundstages. Italy is basically cheating. The movie doesn't maximize this advantage, but it still looks gorgeous.

The Supporting Cast Problem

The supporting players are fine but underused. Matt befriends newlyweds Neil and Donna, plus Julian and Meghan, who are on their third marriage to each other. These characters mostly exist to cheer Matt on from the sidelines.

Alyson Hannigan stays surprisingly subdued throughout. Kim Coates brings the most energy, channeling just a hint of his Sons of Anarchy intensity. It's the only real personality quirk in an otherwise predictable ensemble.

The story setup has real potential. Matt spent years thinking he'd never marry or have a family. The writers barely explore this psychological territory. They miss chances to dig deeper into who Matt was, is, and could become.

Playing It Too Safe

Every time the film could take risks, it chooses the safe path. It's cute rather than romantic. Mildly amusing instead of genuinely funny. James excels at physical comedy but gets zero opportunities here. The writers avoid making Matt a simple goofball, which is smart. But they don't give him much playground either.

The movie hits every predictable romantic comedy beat. That's fine if you do something interesting within those constraints. This film doesn't even try. No unique perspective. No memorable moments. Just competent mediocrity.

James and Grimaudo make it watchable. The Italian scenery helps. The themes about rediscovering happiness and staying open to new experiences have value. But everything feels surface-level. A decent family option that never rises above adequate.