Sentimentalism (noun)

1. An excessive or affected display of emotion, particularly in art and literature.
2. An excessive attachment to emotions or past experiences, especially in an irrational or exaggerated way.

Origin:

Derived from the latin word 'sentimentum' meaning feeling, emotion.

Examples:

1. The sentimentalism of the movie was criticized for being too melodramatic and manipulative.
2. The sentimentalism of the novel was too cloying for some readers, but others were touched by its emotion.
3. The sentimentalism of the song was criticized for being overly sappy, but many listeners were moved to tears.
4. The sentimentalism of the painting was criticized for being too sentimental, but others saw it as a powerful evocation of feeling.
5. The sentimentalism of the play was seen by some as a refreshing return to the emotional intensity of classical drama.