melodrama

Huston’s heart is certainly in the right place and the narrative corner he’s written for Mike to fight his way out of isn’t an untenable one for a pugilist melodrama.

Simplistic binaries might make for powerful melodrama, where the world is divided into good and evil.

But then this is the Philippines, where politics and melodrama go hand in hand.

Mr. Sewell grew up watching soap operas, most notably “The Bold and the Beautiful,” which prepared him well for the melodrama of Paloma Diamond’s life.

And if academy members respond the way that festival audiences have, this crowd-pleasing melodrama might have what it takes to go all the way.”