Crossword Genius

Unexciting cinematography only partly rejected (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tame

'unexciting' is the definition.
('tame' can be similar in meaning to 'unexciting')

'cinematography only partly rejected' is the wordplay.
'only partly' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'rejected' is a reversal indicator.
'emat' is hidden within 'cinematography'.
'emat' back-to-front is 'TAME'.

(Other definitions for tame that I've seen before include "Not exciting; cooperative" , "Not wild, unexciting" , "Submissive -- pedestrian" , "Domesticated, not wild" , "Broken in" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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