User reviews

Loved this movie. Both Greg Vaughan and Alison Sweeney were wonderful . I really enjoyed the excellent writing, without the cliched storyline and the two fantastic child actors who were the center of this Hallmark offering for Valentines Day. (The children are 9years older now).

Add the excellent screenwriters, the fantastic actors, both young and old, and the homage to both firefighters and the emergency 911 operators, and you have what is now called Hearts on Fire.

You will definitely not be disappointed.

a film without surprises. the plot, the problems, the end , the pink sauce - all is well known. but it is not boring, not dusty. and, in few scenes, it becomes almost charming. the secret - first, the Prince Charming represented,in a honest role, by Greg Vaughan. than - the children. and, sure, Ed Asner in a not great but useful role.dramatic and dramatic story of a fireman and a dispatcher, the past, present and future in a impressive combination, the choices and the hesitations, the wise kids and the best choice. a family film who represents another page for life lesson. for Hallmark - a must see. for the others - a not so bad oasis of comfortable entertainment.

Alison Sweeney, single mother of two, has her hours cut back at the emergency call center where she works and decides to rent out a room in her house. Greg Vaughan, a fireman with a broken leg needs such a room -- he can't climb the stairs to his third floor walkup.

Bingo! You know they are going to fall in love, but the way they get there is charming. He does magic and her adorable kids -- who, in response to the home emergency, have gotten themselves jobs reading to people at the local retirement home -- are enchanted.

The only problem I have with this movie is the thought that these two people are unattached at the start of movie. Why haven't they been snapped up by other partners already? The movie is strengthened, as are many of the Hallmark TV movies, by the casting of older but excellent actors in some small roles. Here it's Rance Howard and Ed Asner as two occupants of the retirement home.

I loved this movie! Yes, I am a fan of Hallmark movies, but this one is on the top of my list. The main actors were genuine and believable, as well as the children. The story itself was very endearing and touching. This movie had a lot of depth to it. It dealt with life and death matters, losing a loved one, and told a story of the dangers first responders face doing their job. The firefighter's pranks were entertaining and added a believability to the movie. I even wonder if they were real firefighters because they were uncredited. If you like Hallmark movies, you can't go wrong by watching this one. Just a note: As for the loud background music, a reviewer was referring to; it wasn't even noticeable to me.

I loved this movie. The acting was good, the plot very entertaining. It's hard to find good wholesome movies to watch any more. When firefighter Jeff gets injured he needs a temporary place to live. He ends up renting a room from a single mom with two children. There's love, laughter and tears, all the makings of a good story that will leave you feeling good at the end. Hope they put this one on DVD. It's a keeper!

I really like this movie. Watch it every time it's in. Greg Vaughn and Allison Sweeney have great chemistry. The kids are cute - and learn from reading to senior citizens in an assisted living home. The story is nice - feel good! The firemen are hunks LOL). The only thing that bothered me is the mom's anger when she finds out what the kids are doing - it's sweet what they are doing and they are learning! Yes - charging wasn't the best - but they found a way to help the family - and $1 for a read? Cheap! Other than that - loved it.

The story is fine and there's a good cast / age range, but I don't like pranks so this movie wasn't for me. In someways that makes the movie a bit different to most in this genre, but for me, I just couldn't relax watching. Life is stressful enough without additional energy-draining and time-wasting hassles. I like most of Alison Sweeney's other rom/com and cosy mystery movies so I'll stick to those. I'd also like to see more all-age / family-friendly rescue drama episode / films, so they could do a spin-off / reboot of this in a ongoing format. I know the silliness is intended to balance out the trauma, but something more feel-good would be better.

If I had seen Second Chances and not known who Allison Sweeney is I would be wring a rave review about the movie and Allison. It was a wonderful movie. Very touching and heart warming. It had a real story and talked about things such as loss of a father, fire fighters and their dangerous jobs. It was a real drama with many emotions being felt.

That it starred Allison Sweeney made it even better. As with all of her roles, she was absolutely believable and the chemistry with her co-star Greg Vaughn was palatable. Of all the leading females, Allison is the most talented. She knows how to take a script and make it real, versus delivering the lines off the page. Yea, I'm a fan...can you tell.

Yes, it is a typical Hallmark formula movie. If you watch Hallmark movies you know what to expect, nothing wrong with this. If you don't like the Hallmark formula, don't watch them because they all have it. I honestly believe those that mock movies such as these with nonsense reviews do so because that is who they are. I enjoy reading their reviews and giving them a "thumbs down."

One thing I look for in every, I mean every Hallmark movie is where it was filmed. And finally, here is one not filmed in Canada. Great to see a film done in the U.S.

This is one of my favorite Hallmark Movies. This is one that you like it so much that you wish Hallmark would make a sequel!!!

Just Rewatched this Wonderful Oldie but Goodie Hallmark Movie. I also read some of the Unbelievable Negative Reviews that a few other viewers have Posted. Quite Honestly I was completely flabbergasted because this is Definitely One of Hallmark's Very Best of All Time. In Fact, in my personal opinion, anyone who didn't enjoy this Touching and Heartwarming Story either doesn't have a Heart .... or simply shouldn't be watching Hallmark Movies Period. Because they obviously will simply never enjoy this type of Beautiful and Wholesome Family Entertainment.

Their loss, however, is a Gain for any Hallmark Viewer that truly enjoys Quality Family Entertainment. The entire cast is amazing, and while the Lead Characters Both deliver outstanding performances, it is truly the Children and Story that are Unbelievably Unique and Totally Amazing.

I have watched Hallmark Movies for years and have while I am a loyal and faithful viewer I have only given very few a 10 Star Rating. I usually restrict those Exceptional High Ratings for Films that I believe to be worthy of a Sequel .... and this Film Certainly Qualifies for that Relatively Rare Honor.

In closing let me address a point that was inferred by a Previous Poster. I am NOT an Elderly Woman that insists on Controlling the TV Remote. But rather a True Film Fanatic that Recognizes and Enjoys Exceptional and Quality Performances and Entertainment.

Have seen plenty of good and more Hallmark films and have always made an effort to judge them for what they're meant to be (light hearted, heart-warming escapism). Many have succeeded at this, others have not and are wanting in writing, acting and the way characters are written. Other than completest sake, 'Hearts on Fire' was seen for one primary reason. Which was the talented cast, also have a thing for good concepts but was conflicted on this one, with the best known names being Alison Sweeney and Ed Asner.

2013's 'Hearts on Fire' turned out to be a very nice, heart-warming, entertaining and well meaning film. It's not a masterpiece, but as far as early 2010s Hallmark goes, which was every bit as variable as 2014 onwards, it is one of the better faring efforts. All the cast come off very well, and the story has a lot of charm and heart without taking itself too seriously, a nearly great effort that fell really properly at the final hurdle. It is also much more appealing than the ehh sounding premise suggests.

Maybe it could have gotten going a little quicker.

The ending also felt a little too on the neat and easily foreseeable side.

Everything else is good and more. Sweeney and Greg Vaughan are very likeable in their roles and make their characters come over as real people with flaws (ones not overdone) and strengths in relatable situations. Their chemistry is very sweet and genuine, not moving too fast or feeling too aimless. Views on Asner here seem to be lukewarm, personally thought he was amusing and brought some welcome light-hearted-ness. The whole cast are solid and the interactions never feeling static.

Furthermore, 'Hearts on Fire' looks attractive, especially the scenery and the music doesn't dominate or feel drab. The script is well meaning and takes the subject seriously without being over-serious, while having some light hearted-ness that doesn't come over as too jokey. The story isn't perfect, but is very touching and was easy to relate to while not feeling mawkish or over-serious. The music isn't overused or over-scored, often sensitive.

Concluding, liked it a good deal. 8/10.

A good one! One of the better Hallmark offerings in my opinion.

Hallmark has a tradition of producing enjoyable family movies. I always look forward to a new production.

I watched Second Chances for one-half hour and then I turned it off. The background music is louder than the voices. And the music is a constant, annoying "bing-bong" type of music that truly interferes with the clarity of the speaking. It is the same Hallmark music in so many of their movies. It is like a record continually playing, and like listening to a concert and a lecture at the same time. The music never stops. Every word should be clear and one should not have to try and listen intently. This is not relaxing entertainment. The classic movies had music when there was action, not when people were speaking. You could hear a pin drop and every word.

So this movie gets a one star for incomplete, annoying viewing. Very disappointed in Hallmark.

Allison is the girl next door. Perfect size 8 figure. Good actress. Holds the story together. Too bad pinko left wing scumbag Asner is in it.