Christmas on Call both broke me and restored me. Not sure how to explain it and I am aware that it is a bold statement. But it’s a statement that I would stand by. It’s a movie that follows first responders in Philadelphia, as their lives intersect over the Christmas holidays. We get to see bits and pieces of their personal lives, their work lives, and their commitment to the Philadelphia area.
And how could you not respect a movie that debates the validity of Die Hard as a Christmas movie.
I couldn’t be a first responder, but I do know a lot of them. I take for granted sometimes all of the devotion that first responders put in to their job, especially around the holidays.
Being a first responder seems nerve wracking. You are always on call, you are put behind other people always, and you could loose someone at a moments notice. It seems to be a lot and I am not sure that I could handle it. But, I do respect first responders and their strength and commitment.
I don’t know what I expected from this movie but it was a movie that paid homage to the first responders that give their lives putting others first. It was a movie that honored them and the love that they give each and everyone that they come in contact with.
This wasn’t a movie about falling in love. This was a love story for people and their jobs. It was a love story about putting others in front of you and being okay with that. It was a story about friendships and moments that change people.
Wes is an EMT and Hannah a doctor. Hannah has just moved to the city to study under a doctor that she admires. Wes is an EMT that offers to show her the city. The two are busy with their jobs and their first date doesn’t go exactly as planned. She had a trauma that kept her at work and he thought she was stood up. But once they move past the misunderstanding, we’re able to see them grow to really want to get to know each other.
He shows her the city – gets her, her first official cheese steak, and so much more. Every moment you think they will – they don’t. It’s a slow burn journey over the two hours that pays off with a moment in a courtyard on Christmas.
Danielle and Sanjay shared a moment the New Years Eve prior. They kissed and Sanjay never texted or called. But here they are, all of the sudden having to be partners for awhile. The two have a little bit of animosity towards each other, but over the course of working together, the two start to let their guards down.
They have a misunderstanding, where she thinks that he’s dating someone, who turns out to be his sister. She’s jealous, because she really liked him. When she finds out that it’s his sister, he tells her that he hasn’t had a girlfriend in over a year, because he met her and he really likes her.
When Christmas comes around these two have a moment at the craft fair, when we find out that he’s been texting the wrong phone number for a year. They kiss and you can tell that both of them are happy.
Kate is a nurse who puts everyone before her. She loves her job – the only thing she loves more is her daughter who is deployed. She has thrown herself into her job and nothing gets past her. Until it does. Wes, Hannah, and Dr. Stanfield are able to sneak her daughter in to surprise her. Seeing that moment wasn’t the first time in the movie that I lost it, but you can’t blame me for crying.
This movie is worthy of tears.
Fire Chief Anderson is trying to lead the department, but also trying to be there for his family. He forgets everything – balancing the job and family isn’t his strong suit. He’s missed his daughters school Christmas performance every year. But this year, he remembers.
At the stations open house, he’s spending as much time as he can with his family. You can tell that his daughter is thrilled that she gets time with her Dad. That is until they get a call and the team has to leave.
In a fire, the Chief is injured, and not responding. Wes decides to go in after the Chief and rescues him. It’s a testament to the fact that first responders will always be there for each other. They will go into burning buildings, sit at hospitals, forget their own lives, and make sure that they are there for each other.
And their families.
Christmas On Call was a fast paced movie where you felt as though you were just looking at people living their lives. It felt a little invasive, but it felt as though it was a movie that we all needed. It was a movie that we all needed, because we need to remember that all of these first responders are stopping their lives to make sure that they are they are present.
It was a movie that reminded me to be thankful this Christmas for all those that put the safety of the world and others before themselves.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- Kate and her daughter coming home – will never get over that moment
- Wes buying Hannah an ornament was such a sweet moment. I loved that for her
- Julia not having confidence, but finding hers was such a great thing to see.
- When the Chief asks Julia if she likes her job and she realizes she wants to be there. What a moment for her.
- Some people should never sing karaoke
- Donna Kelce – you’re too cute
- Cheese Wiz is an abomination. I said what I said
- The firefighters decorating the house of one of their own that had fallen – I appreciated them so much for that.
- Showing up at my job singing would have me running out the door from you
I love a good, sappy Hallmark Christmas movie but this was not good. No chemistry between the love interests, not just the two main characters, not great acting and really cheesy story (plus not plausible- the scene with the fire and rescue? 🤦♀️). It was a distraction but that’s it for me. Just my take.