Nobody should watch Hallmark films with massively high expectations, their Christmas output particularly. If a Hallmark fan or wanting to see as many Christmas films as possible, expectations would understandably be higher. They are very formulaic with most of them being more of the same narratively and structurally, apart from sporadic attempts at changes of pace. There are a fair share of them though that are surprisingly above average and even good amidst the many average and less ones.
The 2020 output from Hallmark did vary in quality but was not near as bad or wildly uneven as it could have been. None of the films from the batch were really terrible, and a small handful of them were actually very good. 'The Christmas Doctor' is one of the good, if not quite great, ones and definitely one of the better 2020 Hallmark Christmas films. Perfect it isn't, far from it, but 'The Christmas Doctor' is a good example of why Hallmark shouldn't immediately be judged negatively.
Am going to start with what could have been done better. It drags a little early on where the film takes a little time to get going. The final quarter is on the contrived and very formulaic side, not unexpected as that is common with Hallmark.
Did think that more could have been done with the big twist, which is introduced too suddenly and felt rushed through.
However, a lot is done right. It is visually pleasing and has a professional look. The appropriately festive locations especially. Enough of the soundtrack is nostalgic and pleasant enough. The direction is accomodating while not going through the motions. Holly Robinson Peete doesn't overplay, any mannerisms are not overdone, and neither does hold back too much. She has a genuine well matched chemistry with an equally good Adrian Holmes, who is leagues better than he was in 'You Light Up My Christmas'. The supporting cast are very good too.
Moreover, the dialogue is tighter and less stilted than a lot of Hallmark Christmas films and the cheese and sentiment isn't as much. The story raises some important relevant issues in a tactful manner, making the film heartfelt at points, it also engaged me and was charming and heart-warming while not taking itself too seriously. Did appreciate too that there was more to usual. The characters may be well worn cliches, but they came over to me as likeable enough and any negative character traits didn't come over as over the top like can be the case in Hallmark Christmas films. Actually cared for these characters, not the case with a lot of recently seen Christmas films. The ending is touching.
Concluding, nicely done. 7/10.
