Robson's feisty performance is fabulously hammy, so it's all the more impressive that Lombard holds her own here.

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The music is particularly hammy, with lonely gospel singers telegraphing every "big" moment.

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Ms. STEVENS: But given the reality show element to the movie, as well, it's not the kind of thing that would be recognized next to a good hammy performance in a sad, fictional film.

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