Exploring Growth and Change in 'World! Friendship! Chewing Gum' Season 3
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 Fyodorov
Rating: 8 out of 10
The series "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" has long captured the hearts of its audience, thanks to its elegant balance between nostalgia for the tumultuous '90s and an engaging, multi-layered narrative. The third season, which premiered on the online platform Premier, again immerses us in the atmosphere of provincial Russia in the mid-90s, but this time, it does so through the lens of the main characters’ maturation.
Characters Grow Up, Problems Become More Complex
At the heart of the story is the boisterous group of friends who, despite the passage of two years, find themselves tangled in the most unexpected situations. Set during the summer of 1996, this new season symbolically marks the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the characters.
- Sanya (Egor Gubarev) has left school behind and is attempting to navigate the complexities of adult life. His new relationship with a girl (Alexandra Khoromova) adds a romantic flair but doesn't shield him from the daily grind of working in a cassette stall.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have taken on the roles of young parents. Vovka, ever the self-assured character, struggles to provide for his family, resorting to questionable methods in his endeavors.
- Ilya (Fedor Roschin), a character with a tumultuous inner world, is now engrossed in physical self-improvement, which adds dramatic layers to his persona.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to her hometown not alone but with a fiancé (Fedor Fedotov), an unexpected twist for her friends.
Sanya’s family troubles also become a prominent storyline, as his mother (Ksenia Katylymova) is arrested for financial misconduct, while his father (Stepan Devonin) relies on a former partner who may not be the trustworthy figure he appears to be.
Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The writers, opting for clarity over subtlety, explicitly identify Tula as the series’ setting. Following the plot progression of the first two seasons, the city undergoes significant changes: numerous key figures from the criminal underworld have been eliminated, which compels the creators to introduce new characters and even "resurrect" others from previous narratives.
Notably, viewers are treated to the unexpected return of Alyok (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose deaths in earlier episodes seemed final. This time, the writers have managed to justify their survival plausibly, injecting intrigue and dynamism into the storyline.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The musical score continues to stand out as one of the series' most significant strengths. The compositions by Mujus skillfully convey the anxious yet hopeful mood of the era. Additionally, the inclusion of iconic hits from the '90s stirs a sense of nostalgia. A particular highlight is the album "Morskaya" by the band "Mumiy Troll," which, despite its actual release being a year later, adds an anachronistic charm to the season.
A Slow Start or the Calm Before the Storm?
In contrast to its predecessors, the third season opens with a relatively slow development of events. However, the tension is palpable from the initial episodes. The question remains whether the writers will maintain this pacing or, as is customary, plunge the characters into a whirlwind of thrilling and hazardous adventures.
The third season of "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" stands as a quality continuation of the narrative surrounding coming of age, the challenges of choices, and the spirit of an imperfect '90s era. Despite facing some contentious plot decisions, the series remains one of the finest examples of contemporary Russian cinema. The intrigue, pace, and emotional depth make it a must-watch for anyone who appreciates drama intertwined with historical significance.