hamminess
Exaggerated dramatic performance
Hamminess is the quality of being hammy—exaggerated, over-the-top theatrical performance.
An actor accused of hamminess overplays emotions, mugs for the camera, or delivers lines with excessive drama: The film's hamminess makes it a cult classic.
The term can be affectionate or critical depending on context.
Overstating beyond reality
- overactingExcessive theatrical performance
- muggingRobbery with violence
- emotingExpressing theatrically
- histrionicExaggeratedly emotional in behavior
melodrama · scenery-chewing · grandstanding · showboating · milking · overselling · eye-rolling · hand-wringing
Poultry fat or sentimentality
- maudlinExcessively tearful sentiment
- sappyExcessively sentimental
- gushingFlowing out forcefully
- tearjerkerEmotionally manipulative entertainment
overwrought · bathos · corn · cornball · saccharine · treacly · weepy · schmaltzy
Tasteless, garish art
- cheesyCheap and insincere
- tackyVulgar or slightly sticky
- ironicExpressing contrary meaning
- self-awareConscious of own existence
parodic · tongue-in-cheek · winking · satirical · send-up · spoof · burlesque · drag
Exaggerated physical humor
- farceAbsurd, laughable situation
- pratfallComedic fall on buttocks
- clowningPlayful comic behavior
- shtickPerformer's signature gimmick
gag · bit · routine · double-take · mugging · improv · sketch · stand-up
Stylish natural aptitude
- flourishTo grow vigorously
- bravadoPretense of fearlessness
- panacheFlamboyant confidence of manner
- pizzazzLively, attention-grabbing quality
razzle-dazzle · grandiloquence · bombast · swagger · charisma · presence · flamboyance · theatricality
exaggeration
Overstating beyond reality
- overactingExcessive theatrical performance
- muggingRobbery with violence
- emotingExpressing theatrically
histrionic · melodrama · scenery-chewing · grandstanding · showboating · milking · overselling · eye-rolling · hand-wringing · swooning
schmaltz
Poultry fat or sentimentality
tearjerker · overwrought · bathos · corn · cornball · saccharine · treacly · weepy · schmaltzy · manipulative
kitsch
Tasteless, garish art
self-aware · parodic · tongue-in-cheek · winking · satirical · send-up · spoof · burlesque · drag · cabaret
slapstick
Exaggerated physical humor
shtick · gag · bit · routine · double-take · mugging · improv · sketch · stand-up · entertainer
flair
Stylish natural aptitude
pizzazz · razzle-dazzle · grandiloquence · bombast · swagger · charisma · presence · flamboyance · theatricality · performance
- camphigh camp, kitsch, theatricality, flamboyance, exaggeration
- cheesy thingscorniness, tackiness, kitsch, schlock, hokiness
hamminesssubtlety
Fine distinction, easily missed
restraint · understatement · minimalism · nuance · naturalism
hamminessgenuineness
Quality of being real
sincerity · authenticity · naturalness · artlessness · unpretentiousness