Exploring the Growth and Change in Season Three
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Rating: 8 out of 10
The series "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" has long captivated audiences, striking a delicate balance between nostalgia for the tumultuous 1990s and an engaging, multi-layered storyline. The third season, which debuted on the online platform Premier, once again immerses us in the vibrant atmosphere of mid-90s provincial Russia, but this time through the lens of the main characters' maturation.
Characters Grow Up, Problems Become More Complex
At the heart of the narrative is a lively group of friends, who, despite the two years that have passed, find themselves ensnared in the most unexpected scenarios. Set against the backdrop of the summer of 1996, this new season symbolically aligns with a pivotal moment in the lives of the characters.
- Sanya (Egor Gubarev) has left school behind and is attempting to navigate the challenges of adult life. His new relationship with a girlfriend (Alexandra Khromova) adds a romantic flair to the story, yet it doesn’t shield him from everyday struggles, like working at a shop selling cassette tapes.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have embraced the role of young parents. Vovka, maintaining his typical bravado, is striving to support his family but resorts to dubious methods to achieve this.
- Ilya (Fedor Roshchin), grappling with an unstable inner world, is now absorbed in the pursuit of physical self-improvement, further deepening the dramatic nuances of his character.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) surprises her friends by returning to her hometown not alone but with her fiancé (Fyodor Fedotov), a twist that shakes the very foundations of their friendships.
Sanya’s family troubles also take center stage. His mother (Ksenia Katalymova) has been arrested for financial crimes, while his father (Stepan Devonin) is pinning hopes on a former partner, who may turn out to be far from what he seems.
Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The screenwriters have chosen to abandon subtle hints, boldly establishing Tula as the setting. In the aftermath of the first two seasons, the city has witnessed significant changes: many key figures in the criminal underworld have died, prompting the creators to introduce fresh characters and even "resurrect" some from the past.
Viewers can expect the unexpected return of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitya (Nikita Pavlenko), whose deaths in the previous season appeared final. This time, the writers have crafted more plausible circumstances surrounding their survival, infusing intrigue and dynamism into the plot.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The musical accompaniment remains one of the series' strongest assets. The compositions by Mujus expertly convey the ambiance of a time that is both anxious and hopeful. Among the nostalgic hits of the 90s, special emphasis is placed on the album "Sea" by the band "Mumiy Troll," which, despite the real-world timeline, is released a year earlier within the show’s narrative.
A Slow Start or a Calm Before the Storm?
Unlike its predecessors, the third season opens with a relatively slow pacing of events. Yet, an undercurrent of tension is palpable from the earliest episodes. The burning question is whether the creators will sustain this rhythm or, as is often the case, plunge the characters into a whirlwind of thrilling and perilous escapades.
Instead of Culminations
The third season of "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" stands as a commendable continuation of the narrative about growing up, making difficult choices, and embodying the spirit of the challenging 90s. Despite some contentious plot decisions, the project remains one of the finest examples of contemporary Russian cinema. The intrigue, pace, and emotional depth render the series a must-watch for anyone who values drama infused with historical context.