Review: Third Season of 'Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!'
Review of the Third Season of the Series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!": The Spirit of the '90s, Coming of Age, and Inevitable Changes
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Rating: 8 out of 10
The series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" has long captured the hearts of audiences, striking a delicate balance between nostalgia for the tumultuous '90s and an engaging, multifaceted storyline. The third season, which premiered on the online platform Premier, once again immerses us in the environment of provincial Russia in the mid-'90s, but this time through the lens of the main characters' growth and maturity.
Characters Mature, Problems Intensify
At the center of the storyline is the ever-energetic group of friends who, despite the passage of two years, find themselves entangled in the most unexpected situations once again. The new season unfolds during the summer of 1996, symbolically coinciding with a new chapter in the protagonists' lives.
- Sanyka (Egor Gubarev) has left school behind and is attempting to navigate the complexities of adult life. His new relationship with a girl (Alexandra Khromova) adds a romantic slice to the narrative, yet does little to shield him from the everyday challenges such as working at a cassette stall.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) are adjusting to their roles as young parents. Vovka, maintaining his characteristic self-assuredness, strives to provide for his family, yet resorts to questionable methods to do so.
- Ilya (Fyodor Roshchin), a character with an unstable inner world, is now engrossed in physical self-improvement, which adds a layer of drama to his portrayal.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to her hometown, not alone but accompanied by her fiancé (Fyodor Fedotov), creating a surprising twist for her friends.
Sanyka’s family issues become a pivotal plotline as well. His mother (Ksenia Katalykova) is arrested on charges of financial fraud, while his father (Stepan Devoin) hopes for assistance from a former partner, who may not be everything he appears to be.
Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The screenwriters have decided to drop any veiled references, explicitly setting the action in Tula. Following the events of the first two seasons, the city has undergone transformations: many key figures from the criminal underworld have perished, prompting the creators to introduce new characters and even "resurrect" some favorites.
Viewers can anticipate the unexpected return of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose deaths in the previous season seemed final. This time, the writers have crafted a more plausible rationale for their survival, injecting intrigue and energy into the plot.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The musical accompaniment continues to shine as one of the series' strongest elements. Compositions from Mujus skillfully capture the mood of an anxious yet hopeful time. The show also features hits from the '90s that ignite waves of nostalgia. Notably, the album "Sea" by the band "Mumiy Troll" receives special attention, even though it releases a year ahead of its real-world timeline.
A Slow Start or a Calm Before the Storm?
In contrast to previous seasons, the third installment commences with a relatively slow build-up. Nevertheless, the tension is palpable from the early episodes. The burning question lingers: will the creators maintain this rhythm, or will they, as is customary, plunge the characters into a whirlwind of thrilling and perilous adventures?
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" serves as a substantial continuation of the story about coming of age, the challenges of choice, and the spirit of the complex '90s. Despite some contentious narrative decisions, the series persists as one of the most commendable examples of contemporary Russian cinema. The intrigue, dynamic storytelling, and emotional depth render this a must-watch for anyone who appreciates drama imbued with historical context.