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A propos of nothing - when people describe something as "over the top" - my initial response is usually something along the lines of 1. "wow, I grew up with insanely flamboyant people, looks like" and 2. "you need to get out more." Humorous anecdote:
Not a huge Melissa Leo fan, but I remember there being a lot of "she was so over the top in The Fighter." Maybe in YOUR world, but all you need to do is go hang out at a bar in Cranston, RI, or North Providence, RI, and she will be everywhere. Not over the top at all.
I say this as a born-and-raised Rhode Islander. I mentioned this comment to my friend Maria, child of Italian immigrants from Providence, and she laughed uproariously. 'That woman is my mother in law." I know her mother in law. She speaks the truth.
so when people say "over the top" -I wish they would dig into what they actually mean by that cliche, and get more specific. It would help all of us, especially those of us who grew up surrounded by loud extroverted people with spritzed bangs wielding cigarettes and cocktails.
if you mean "fake" then explain why - if you mean "too actor-y" then explain why. I get your complaints about these things. There are things that don't ring true - or don't seem "mirror up to nature-y" - but there are reasons why this might be the case. Try to put it into words.
Otherwise, I just want to tell you to go to a Paw Sox game on a hot August day and people-watch and see how your life will never be the same again.
