Christmas on Call

This was one of the most boring Christmas movies I have watched in a long time. There was nothing going on at all. I wasted 2 hours hoping it would get better.

I love stories that interconnect with others so I was super excited to watch this one. Hallmark usually does this pretty good but totally missed the mark on this one.

The actors has zero chemistry so it was hard to believe the love story aspect. The "doctor" has got to have the easiest schedule of any ER doctor in the history of man kind. The 2 police officers provided comedic relief but it was easy to figure out their storyline. I figured out half way through what the dramatic scene was going to be.

Maybe I just expected more from Hallmark.

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!!

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.

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 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.