The Intriguing Journey of 'Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!' Season 3
Review of the Third Season of the Series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!": The Spirit of the '90s, Growing Up, and the Inevitability of Change
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fedorov
Rating: 8 out of 10
The series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" has firmly nestled itself in the hearts of viewers over the years, striking a delicate balance between nostalgia for the tumultuous '90s and an engaging, multifaceted storyline. With the premiere of its third season on the Premier online platform, we once again find ourselves immersed in the atmosphere of provincial Russia during the mid-'90s, but this time through the lens of the characters' maturation.
Characters Mature, Challenges Intensify
At the heart of the unfolding narrative is the restless group of friends, who, despite the passage of two years, find themselves embroiled in the most unexpected situations. This new season unfolds in the summer of 1996, symbolically marking the onset of a pivotal chapter in the characters' lives.
- Sanya (Egor Gubarev) has left school behind and is grappling with the complexities of adult life. His budding relationship with a girl (Alexandra Khromova) adds a romantic hue to the narrative, yet it does nothing to shield him from the mundane struggles of working at a cassette shop.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) embrace parenthood in their youth. Vovka, maintaining his usual brash confidence, strives to support his family, albeit by resorting to dubious means.
- Ilya (Fyodor Roshchin), a character with an unstable inner world, has taken to physical self-improvement, which injects a layer of drama into his persona.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to her hometown not alone, bringing along her fiancé (Fyodor Fedotov), which provides a surprising twist for her friends.
Family issues involving Sanya also take center stage. His mother (Ksenia Katalymova) is arrested for financial misconduct while his father (Stepan Devonin) hopes for help from a former partner who might not be what he seems.
Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The writers have opted to be forthright about Tula being the setting for this season, moving away from the subtle hints of previous episodes. Following the events of the earlier seasons, the city undergoes significant changes: many key figures from the criminal underworld have perished, prompting the introduction of new characters and even the revival of old ones.
Viewers can anticipate the unexpected return of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose exits in the last season appeared irrevocable. This time, the writers have worked to provide a more believable explanation for their survival, thereby adding intrigue and dynamism to the storyline.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The musical accompaniment remains one of the show's strongest attributes. The compositions by Mujus evocatively capture the essence of a time fraught with anxiety yet brimming with hope. Popular hits from the '90s resonate throughout, stirring waves of nostalgia. Special attention is drawn to the album "Sea" by the band "Mumiy Troll," which, despite its actual release date, oddly appears a year earlier in the storyline.
A Slow Start or Calm Before the Storm?
In contrast to its predecessors, the third season begins with a relatively slow build-up of events. However, from the very first episodes, there is an unmistakable tension in the air. The question remains whether the writers will maintain this pace or, as in the past, sweep the characters into a whirlwind of thrilling and perilous adventures.
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" is a commendable continuation of a story that reflects growth, the complexity of choices, and the indomitable spirit of those challenging '90s. While some of the plot developments may incite debate, the project continues to stand as one of the finest examples of contemporary Russian cinema. Its intrigue, energy, and emotional depth render the series a must-watch for anyone holding an appreciation for drama infused with historical context.