Dive Into the Teen Drama 'Gum': A Mixed Review

On October 16, the streaming platform Premier launched its latest Russian series titled "Gum". This eight-part teenage drama directed by Alexander Tsoy invites viewers to dive into the tumultuous world of adolescence, where aspirations collide with deception and relationships become tangled in emotional upheaval.

Project Overview

• Genre: Drama, Youth Film
• Director: Alexander Tsoy
• Number of Episodes: 8
• Duration of Each Episode: 45-50 minutes
• Origin: Russia
• Age Rating: 18+

"Gum" narrates the life of teenagers filled with dreams, conflicts, and reckless choices, often leading to unforeseen consequences.

Plot Summary

The narrative centers around Galya Shalamova, a girl raised in an orphanage who aspires to enroll in the screenplay department at VGIK. Longing for freedom from the oppressive confines of her institution, Galya's life takes a sharp turn after she watches a live stream by the eccentric blogger Hans Schmyuze, known for making controversial statements to garner popularity. Convinced that she and Hans are kindred spirits, Galya’s infatuation drives the story forward.

A chance encounter between the two ignites a romance, but for Galya, it's the exhilarating start of first love, while Hans views it as nothing more than a fleeting distraction. Disillusioned, he chooses to sever ties with Galya in a bizarre manner—he enlists his friends to falsely inform her that he has been killed.

Rather than acting resigned, Galya embarks on a personal investigation into Hans's purported death, determined to uncover the truth and exact vengeance on those she feels are responsible.

Characters

Galya Shalamova (Played by Daria Balabanova)
An orphan shaped by her challenging circumstances, Galya is depicted as naive with a fervent desire to become a screenwriter, though her past looms over her—her mother has recently been released from prison, and she’s entangled with an aggressive boyfriend she can’t seem to escape.

Hans Schmyuze (Played by Anton Rogachev)
With a modest following of 5,000 subscribers, Hans is a blogger willing to engage in absurd antics for the sake of likes and attention. He embodies the archetype of the privileged youth—his father is a producer, and although he receives little attention from his parents, his younger sister is gravely ill.

Kirill (Played by Anton Artemyev)
Galya’s rough and unpredictable boyfriend, Kirill resorts to violence as a means of solving problems. Living a life influenced by criminal activities, he harbors dreams of escaping to a luxurious lifestyle abroad.

Misha Elchev (Played by Pavel Maslakov)
Hans's friend, Misha stands out in the crew for his more empathetic approach towards Galya.

Vera (Played by Marusya Furina)
A friend of Hans who harbors feelings for him yet understands that serious relationships with him are unlikely.

Impressions of the Series

Storyline and Genre

The series intertwines elements of teenage drama with a satirical commentary on modern society. It tackles themes of first love, cruelty, and misunderstanding alongside arbitrary choices that are often made in youthful impulsiveness. The characters come across as childish and illogical, emphasizing their youthfulness and inexperience.

The pace of the story fluctuates; the initial episode captures some vigor, but the momentum wanes as the plot progresses, which might leave viewers disengaged.

Characters and Atmosphere

One major critique of the series is its characters. None of the protagonists garner sympathy from the audience. Galya appears overly naive, while Hans seems unabashedly cynical. The supporting cast members tend to be portrayed as caricatures or remain flat, lacking depth.

Acting

Despite a script that leaves much to be desired, the cast commendably endeavors to deliver strong performances. Daria Balabanova and Anton Rogachev, who take on pivotal roles, are familiar faces from previous projects, and their performances stand out amidst a less-than-stellar script.

Visual Elements

Visually, the series impresses. The cinematography effectively captures the atmosphere of various scenes. The settings are diverse and include shopping malls, apartments, city streets, and abandoned buildings, adding a rich visual tapestry to the storytelling.

The End

In summary, "Gum" is a project that will likely resonate with a teenage audience, but may falter in appealing to older viewers. Its simplistic storyline, unpleasant characters, and questionable dramatic techniques render this series a mixed bag. If you're in the mood for light dramas with straightforward conflicts, it might hit the right notes for you. however, for those on the lookout for profound and engaging narratives, "Gum" is unlikely to be a revelation.

Would I recommend the series? More likely, I would advise against it. There are simply too many drawbacks to warrant dedicating your time to this production.