Exploring the Russian Teen Series Chewing Gum: A Critical Review

The Russian series "Chewing Gum" (2024), which aired on the Premier platform, seeks to carve out its niche within the realm of teen cinema. The online streaming service has positioned this series as a launching pad for revitalizing its lineup of youth-oriented shows. However, viewer responses and critical analysis reveal a number of glaring deficiencies, from a clichéd storyline to a dubious approach to tackling complex themes. In this exploration, we will delve into what aspects of the show both captivate and repel its audience.

Plot Overview: Love, Stalking, and Tragedy

At the heart of the narrative lies Galia Shalamova (Darya Balabanova), a girl hailing from a Moscow orphanage with aspirations of attending VGIK and becoming a screenwriter. Galia's life is riddled with drama: tumultuous relationships with her boyfriend Kirill (Anton Artemyev), the upcoming release of her mother (Yulia Volkova) from prison, and a profound lack of support and authentic communication in her life.

A chance encounter with a livestream from the popular blogger Roma (Anton Rogachev), also known as Hans Shmyuze online, introduces Galia to a figure from a world she barely knows—wealth, freedom, and a carefree attitude. Enchanted by Roma, she starts weaving naïve fantasies about a blissful future with him.

What begins as a romantic date rapidly morphs into an unbalanced fixation for Galia. She fabricates details about her life to impress him, while Roma treats their connection as a frivolous dalliance. His shocking stunt—faking his death as a prank—culminates in tragedy, leading Galia, who believes her beloved is gone forever, on a quest to find and confront his supposed "killer".

Key Themes: Surface-Level or Relevant?

The show touches upon various themes that are supposedly reflective of contemporary youth experiences. However, its execution raises numerous questions.

1. Love and Stalking

Galia's transformation from a starry-eyed dreamer to an obsessed stalker raises eyebrows. Her actions reflect not love but an unhealthy dependency. Meanwhile, Roma’s deceitful and manipulative behavior illustrates a standard toxic relationship dynamic.

2. Bullying and Toxic Environments

Abusive dynamics are not confined solely to Galia's interactions with Kirill but permeate her experiences. Institutional bullying in the orphanage and mockery from the privileged elite create an oppressive atmosphere.

3. Parent-Child Dynamics

Despite Roma's affluent background, his family's emotional detachment is palpable. His mother's preoccupation with personal issues, his father's immersion in work, and a sick sister marginalized in the narrative are stark contrasts to Galia's lack of parental support. Galia’s mother has just returned from prison, and her father is entirely absent from the picture.

4. The Influence of Social Media

As a typical blogger, Roma presents a manufactured lifestyle, concealing his genuine struggles. His entourage contributes to this illusion by participating in the death hoax. While this angle aims to highlight social media’s psychological impact on youth, the show's treatment of the theme is more superficial than insightful.

Character Analysis: Aiming for Complexity

The creators of the series intended to craft complex, flawed characters, yet the outcome remains questionable.

• Galia invokes pity and sympathy, but her obsessive actions often repulse. She appears more a victim of circumstances than a fully-fledged individual.
• Roma embodies the stereotypical rich kid: apathetic, frivolous, and unfeeling. His actions, particularly the prank involving "death," render him completely unsympathetic.
• Kirill, conversely, resembles a caricature of a '90s gangster, with his abusive tendencies obvious from the early scenes.

Direction: Stereotypes and Mediocrity

Directed by Alexander Tsoi, known for previous youth dramas like "Difficult Teenagers" and "The Connector", the series sadly fails to reach the standards set by his earlier endeavors.

1. Music and Visual Environment

Similar to many domestic teen dramas, "Chewing Gum" showcases neon parties, fragmented clip-style editing, and lackluster music. These components serve more as a backdrop than as vehicles for narrative depth.

2. Dialogue and Script

Despite the involvement of nine screenwriters, the script does not yield substantive results. The dialogue feels forced, and characters’ motivations often seem illogical.

Criticism: Why Did the Series Fall Flat?

Numerous viewers and critics expressed dissatisfaction with "Chewing Gum."

• Clichés over Originality: The plot is rife with tropes, from neon-lit gatherings to affluent teens oblivious to money matters.
• Lack of Realism: The actors portraying teenagers appear significantly older than their characters, raising doubts about authenticity.
• Absence of a Cohesive Arc: The series attempts to juggle too many themes, which dilutes its narrative focus.

Comparison to Other Shows

Viewers have frequently drawn comparisons between "Chewing Gum" and other series like "Euphoria" and "Sex Education." However, the level of drama, character development, and relevance of the issues tackled in those shows is significantly superior.

End: Should You Watch It?

"Chewing Gum" represents a quintessential attempt at creating something contemporary and youth-centric, yet the end product leaves much to be desired. The overabundance of clichés, weak dialogue, and shallow thematic exploration prevent this series from standing out in the genre.

For those in search of light-hearted teen entertainment laced with drama, "Chewing Gum" might seem appealing. However, audiences who appreciate more profound narratives may want to steer clear and look toward other offerings for deeper engagements.