What is Melodrama in Film?

The term melodramatic is commonly used to describe someone who is over-the-top dramatic about some of the most mundane things. Some people can certainly be so melodramatic. And so can some films. But what is melodrama in film? And what does it mean? In this stereotyped exaggeration of characterization we take a look at how melodramas are characterized. And what to expect from a melodrama film.

What is Melodrama in Film?

Melodrama represents a dramatic art scene or work in which the underlying plot is centered around a dramatic appeal to the emotions that strongly suggests sentimental value rather than action.

Melodrama films are a sub-genre of drama films. Not only do they tug at the emotions, but they tend to exaggerate the emotional plot in such a way that they’re generally stereotypical of the “chick flick.” 

Melodrama Characteristics

If you’ve never used the term “Chick flick” before, or you’ve not personally found yourself engulfed in a dramatic film in which the plot is so thick with emotion you can’t help but feel weepy and sad, perhaps you’ve never experienced a melodrama.

But what is Melodrama in film and what are the characteristics of this style of film?

The Melodrama features emotionally drawn plots that emphasize human emotion and tend to be based on crisis, failure, broken relationships, and strained situations.

Some of the most commonly underlying plot characteristics for a melodrama in film include:

• Tragedy
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• Illness
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• Loss (specifically the loss of a loved one, child, or spouse)
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• Physical hardships
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• Strained familial situations
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• Failed relationships (specifically failed romance)
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• Disease

All of this is then combined with characters that are significantly attached to one another and which are the stereotypical individuals from a melodrama such as victims, helpless souls, couples and loved ones, family, close friends, etc.

History of Melodrama in Film

Historically, Hollywood started cranking out chick flicks in the 1930s. They actually had come to be known as “Weepies” because they notably made women cry excessively when they watched them.

Prior to the 1930s, melodrama films that featured fallen women were also common in the mid to late 1920s.

The melodrama film would continue throughout the next several decades, with more melodramas being featured over the years on television (soap opera style) and well into modern film although a bit less prominent these days.

Want to further expand on the definition of melodrama? The folks at IAM Center go deeper into detail on melodrama and how it affects the audience: