In-Depth Review of Season Three: Chewing Gum Series
Rating: 8 out of 10
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Cast: Egor Gubarev, Yuri Borisov, Valentina Lyapina, Fyodor Roshchin, Evgeny Tkachenko, Viktor Sukhorukov, and others.
Summer of 1996: What’s New?
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" takes us back to 1996, allowing our beloved characters to age and evolve while still preserving their core essences. Set in the city of Tula, the narrative unfolds two years post the events of the second season, showcasing notable transformations in both the town and its inhabitants. Our main cast—those once wide-eyed teens—now grapple with the intricacies of adult life, including family commitments, dubious escapades, and even incarceration. This dance with maturity is interwoven with a relentless struggle for survival and happiness.
Primary Plotlines:
- Sanya (Egor Gubarev): Recent school graduate embarking on adulthood, balancing a job at the market while trying to nurture his budding romance.
- Vovka and Malaya (Egor Abramov, Polina Gukhman): New parents navigating the rocky waters of parenthood, with Vovka seeking precarious schemes to support his family.
- Ilya (Fyodor Roshchin): Now an avid sports enthusiast, his newfound passion adds comedic flair to his character.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina): Returns to town with a fiancé, stirring a whirlwind of astonishment and jealousy amongst her friends.
- Sanya’s Mother: Serving time for financial misconduct, her husband's hope hangs in the balance as he strives to support the family.
Simultaneously, Tula's criminal underbelly unfolds. The creators candidly set the stage in Tula; following a notable reduction in "criminal figures" in the previous seasons, new characters emerge while previously presumed-dead figures, Alik and Vityok, make a comeback with plausible explanations.
Strengths of the Season
Atmosphere and Soundtrack
As in prior installments, music remains pivotal to establishing the series' tone. This season’s soundtrack features not just iconic '90s hits but also original compositions tailored for the series. The album "Morskaya" by the band "Mumiy Troll," although released here prior to its actual debut, epitomizes the fresh resurgence of that epoch. Musical interludes serve to accentuate critical moments, enriching their emotional weight.
Attention to Detail
The visual aesthetics and scripting meticulously recreate the essence of the 1990s. Each frame offers a window into the times: from street stalls to fashion trends and everyday dilemmas, intertwining the personal with the societal to present a holistic portrait of life during that era.
Indelible Characters
The journey of the characters through this third season is profoundly eventful. The writers deftly navigate between humor and gravity, illustrating how youthful carefree attitudes clash with the harsh realities of growing up. The performances are truly commendable, with Egor Gubarev and Yuri Borisov standing out, imbuing their roles with depth and authenticity.
Weaknesses and Controversial Aspects
Some viewers may find the initial pace of the season a tad sluggish. While gradual story development typically builds suspense, in this instance, it risks exhausting those eager for a swift plunge into action.
The revival of certain characters, once believed to be "lost," although plausible, might come across as a narrative tactic aimed at restoring plot balance rather than an intrinsic progression of the storyline.
Overall Assessment
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" continues to delight with its authenticity and emotional richness. The creators successfully tackle pressing themes of maturation, family, and friendship while keeping their focus on portraying relatable human experiences. Despite a few contentious elements, the new season is deserving of attention due to its high-quality direction, strong cast, and its remarkable ability to evoke nostalgia for a bygone era.
A must-watch for anyone who appreciates profundity and sincerity entwined with the vibrant atmosphere of the '90s.