Which term would best describe a person who shows excessive sentimentality, often in a tearful manner?

The term that best describes a person who exhibits excessive sentimentality, particularly in a tearful or maudlin manner, is "maudlin." This term conveys a sense of being overly emotional or sentimental, often with a connotation of self-pity or a tendency to be tearful for dramatic effect. In literature and conversation, it refers specifically to that exaggerated emotional response that can easily evoke pity or sorrow.

The other terms do not capture the specific nuance of excessive sentimentality coupled with tearfulness. "Melodramatic" relates to an exaggerated and sensationalized dramatic style, but it does not necessarily imply a tearful or overly sentimental attitude. "Jubilant" describes a state of great happiness or joy, which is the opposite of sentimentality, while "gloomy" encompasses a state of melancholy or sadness without the sentimentality aspect. Thus, "maudlin" is the most accurate descriptor in this context.