Exploring the Depths of Chewing Gum's Third Season
Review of the Third Season of the Series "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!": The Spirit of the 90s, Coming of Age, and the Inevitability of Change
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fedorov
Rating: 8 out of 10
The series "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" has long captured the hearts of its audience by striking a delicate balance between nostalgia for the tumultuous 90s and an intricate, multi-layered narrative. The premiere of the third season on the streaming platform Premier takes us once again into the atmosphere of provincial Russia in the mid-90s, but this time, it does so through the lens of the characters' maturation.
Characters Mature, Problems Intensify
In the spotlight once again is a group of boisterous friends, who, despite the passage of two years, find themselves embroiled in the most unexpected situations. The new season unfolds during the summer of 1996, symbolically marking a new chapter in their lives.
- Sanka (Egor Gubarev) has left school behind and is grappling with the complexities of adult life. His budding relationship with a girlfriend (Alexandra Khromova) adds a romantic layer, yet cannot shield him from mundane struggles like working in a cassette shop.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have stepped into the roles of young parents. Vovka, maintaining his typical air of bravado, endeavors to provide for his family, albeit through rather questionable methods.
- Ilya (Fedor Roshchin), a character with an unstable inner world, is now engrossed in physical self-improvement, a development that adds a dramatic twist to his persona.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to her hometown not alone, but with a fiancé (Fedor Fedotov), a surprising turn of events for her friends.
Sanka's family troubles emerge as a central storyline. His mother (Ksenia Katalymova) has been arrested for financial impropriety, while his father (Stepan Devonin) is pinning his hopes on former associates who may not turn out to be as reliable as he believes.
Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The screenwriters, opting for direct storytelling, clearly pinpoint Tula as the setting. Following the events of the first two seasons, the city has undergone significant transformation: many key figures in the criminal world have perished, prompting the creators to introduce new characters and even "revive" familiar faces.
Fans can expect the shocking return of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose previous departures seemed final. This time, the writers cleverly justify their survival, adding intrigue and dynamism to the narrative.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The musical accompaniment remains one of the series’ strongest assets. The compositions by Mujus adeptly capture the mood of an era that is both unsettling and filled with hope. Additionally, an array of 90s hits stirs waves of nostalgia. Special attention is drawn to the album "Sea" by the band "Mumiy Troll," which, despite real historical timelines, is featured as if it had been released a year earlier.
Slow Start or Calm Before the Storm?
In contrast to previous seasons, the third installment begins with a relatively gentle pacing. Yet, the tension is palpable from the opening episodes. The big question looms: will the creators maintain this tempo, or will they plunge the characters into a maelstrom of thrilling and perilous adventures, as is customary?
The third season of "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" stands as a remarkable continuation of a narrative that delves into maturation, the difficulties of choice, and the spirit of the challenging 90s. Despite some contentious plot decisions, the project endures as a premier example of contemporary Russian cinema. The blend of intrigue, vitality, and emotional depth makes this series a must-watch for anyone who appreciates drama with a historical backdrop.