Excessive sentimentality (8)
I believe the answer is:
schmaltz
'excessive sentimentality' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for schmaltz that I've seen before include "Sickly sentimentality" , "mawkishness" , "Mushiness" , "mush" , "Excessive sentimentality in art or music" .)