Christmas on Call

7.6 stars.

I found myself enjoying the experience of 'Christmas on call' from the first minute. I've always been a sucker for ER shows and movies. While this story doesn't particularly focus on the emergency room doctor's trauma care (lead female) or the first responder's ambulance rescues (lead male), there's just enough of both to make it feel like a bona fide hospital drama.

Of course, it's done in typical Hallmark style, which I found quite interesting, because I feel like this is something new for Hallmark, although I'm not absolutely certain. I'm trying to recall any ER doctor characters in Christmas romances and I can't.

So basically this was something original and the actors did great. There is decent chemistry between the leads as well.

I found this entertaining and fun with a few good moments. There are a couple of supporting characters who are police officers, and their side story is entertaining too. I'd like to see more of this kind of change from the norm.

Hallmark, we need to talk. Are we making real movies now? Ones with multiple, complex storylines that develop characters and aren't focused entirely on being cheesy? It seems that way! Christmas on Call gives us several storylines from the City of Brotherly Love that dip into real movie territory. It's a recommended movie.

Hannah (Sara Canning) is an ER doctor, which would seem really impressive until we meet her love interest Wes. Wes (Ser'Darius Blain) is an EMT, but also a veteran, volunteer at everything, singer, former firefighter, and all around good guy. Hannah is in her first year in a new city-Philadelphia-and a little homesick. Wes spends December apparently never sleeping, and showing Hannah what the city is all about.

You might remember Canning from Holiday Road (7 stars) or Wes from the Jimanji movies. These are legit actors, who turn in great performances.

We also follow Sanjay (Erik Athavle) and Danielle (Reena Jolly) as police officers who dated once. Despite all the crime in Philly (come on guys) they spend their patrol refereeing a neighborly dispute over lawn ornaments. Athavle is one of my favorites from Santa Summit - and he rocks a great stache in this one.

The cast in this movie is huge, but it's easy to keep track of. We get a father/daughter story (twice), a college-hopeful kid story, an EMT finding her way, an asthmatic patient who is going through a rough time, and a nurse whose daughter is in the military overseas.

You also can't miss Donna Kelce, yes Travis' mom and Taylor Swift's bestie, serving cheese stakes. I love that they actually call her Donna and she's wearing a Jason Kelcee Eagles jersey.

One note I'm sending into the world. Stop making Christmas karaoke a thing. It's not a thing and bad singers aren't fun.

Funny line: In one scene Hannah tells her dad, over the phone "I met someone" and she describes him a bit. And dad replies inquisitively and very loudly, "He?!" Like maybe the last person she met wasn't a "he." It was super awkward. I'm here for it, but the lead couple being two women seems like a million miles from where Hallmark plays. Prove me wrong, Gold Crown!! Prove me wrong.

Measuring Christmas Magic: Absolutely. Lots of establishing shots of Philadelphia, and scenes that are dripping in Christmas lights and joy.

Cast Kudos: Ser'Darius Blain as Wes. This guy does everything!

Alternative titles: Christmas and Cheesesteaks; Philadelphia Christmas; Philadelphia Med, Fire and PD for the holidays.

This wasn't your typical type of Hallmark movie. It was different. I think someone else said it was fresh and I agree. I loved how the storyline was not your typical storyline. It didn't follow the same trope that a lot of the other movies do. It has its own spin and it was good.

There are some new faces this Christmas season. I really hope to see them again. There was a really cute cameo as well. I don't want to give a spoiler.

Lastly, I liked how this one showed that First Responders have hearts, feelings, etc. They also have a family that they leave, to go home to the family that they love.

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 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.