Christmas on Call

I went into this movie with low expectations. After watching the previews, I didn't think I would enjoy it, but not only did I love it, but my husband did as well.

All the storylines were great. We laughed a lot. The chemistry between the two leads was solid, and their interaction was cute.

I even teared up a couple of times.

It was an excellent cast, and her neighbor was a hoot. The karaoke scene with the head nurse was great.

Donna Kelce popping in was great. She was busy this season in Hallmark movies.

I'm happy I gave this one a chance. It's definitely worth rewatching-in fact, we've done so a few times already. It's not a meh movie.

Ser'Darius Blain, who plays the EMT Wes, is the best part of this Hallmark holiday film around first responders in Philadelphia. The film would ask us to believe that Philadelphia is the best city to spend Christmas in...a fact that I would argue, especially with all of it's crime. The main storyline is around a new ER doctor Hannah who is new to town and Wes a Philadelphia native and EMT, who takes it upon himself to show her the city. There are some arguing neighbors that tie into a police storyline, a nurse who is missing her military daughter, and a wife and mother dealing with sending her son to college.

There is a fun cameo at the Philly cheesesteaks sandwich shop by the matron of the Kelce family, Donna.

I appreciated the film taking such pride in Philadelphia and trying to show it off in it's best light. I also really appreciated the showcase of a hospital storyline for those of us who sacrifice family time for the care of others on Christmas and lots of other holidays. It's because of this and of course Ser'Darius Blain that I recommend this to Hallmark holiday romance fans. It was slightly different than the usual formula and it tried to have just a little bit of fun.

This movie was well done, the two leads had good chemistry and the story is about our everyday heroes. We take it for granted that the ambulance that comes to give us assistance is a vital part of our society but this movie paints a wonderful portrait of what they do every day. Of course when the emergency vehicle arrives it brings the patient to the hospital. This movie also paints a pleasant but important peak into some of the vital work that is done 24 seven in every hospital in the country. And of course there's the love story. This happens to be a wonderful and beautiful exchange between a white female and a black male. How refreshing to see multicultural leads in a story! Thank you Hallmark for being so brave in presenting the story of our everyday heroes!!

This Hallmark holiday romance takes place in Philadelphia, where a paramedic's job brings him into contact with a hospital physician. Wes (Ser'Darius Blain) is a native son of the City of Brotherly Love, and unattached. Hannah (Sara Canning) is new to the city. They both have demanding jobs with difficult schedules. When sparks fly between them, they have difficulty finding time to socialize, but they persevere.

There is a second story, about two cops who lost track of each other after a promising New Year's connection. Sanjay (Erik Athavale) says that he texted her later, only to be ghosted. Danielle (Reena Jolly) says she was ghosted by him. When work brings them together again, things are frosty for a while, but they warm up as they spend time together. Eventually, they solve the mystery of their earlier estrangement.

Though all four main characters have jobs that entail some stress, the film has a light tone. And it never feels like there is a lot of pressure to bring the couples together. The easy-going tone makes this an enjoyable film. And the surrounding cast fits well into this narrative.

This story is mostly fresh. It's about an ER doc in a new city, Philly, starting up a relationship with an EMT. There is some drama within the ER and some more out with the Fire Department. There is also plenty of charity and good will to go around as all the main player reach out to help others. There is a second romance story with two cops who had a brief romantic encounter last New Year's. Something happened after the initial meeting that left some friction that needs to be worked through.

Sara Canning and Ser'Darius Blain have good chemistry. The acting all around is good and so is the dialogue.

The movie gives a fictional look at the every day lives of both people who risk their lives and those under pressure to heal the sick and injured. The story is mostly about the relationships rather than any quests or businesses to save or careers to launch or stories to write or festivals to put on or other usual Christmas stories. The pacing was good so it made for a good watch.