Exploring the Nostalgic Depths of Season Three of 'World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!'
Review of Season Three 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 Fedorov
Rating: 8 out of 10
The series "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" has long captured the hearts of viewers, adeptly balancing nostalgia for the tumultuous 1990s with an engaging, multi-layered narrative. With the premiere of its third season on the online platform Premier, we are once again immersed in the atmosphere of provincial Russia in the mid-90s, yet this time we view it through the lens of the characters' maturation.
Characters Mature, Problems Complicate
At the core of the story is a restless group of friends who, despite the passage of two years, continue to find themselves embroiled in the most unexpected situations. This new season unfolds during the summer of 1996, symbolically marking the onset of a new chapter in our protagonists' lives.
- Sanya (Egor Gubarev) has left his school days behind and is now trying to navigate the challenges of adult life. His new romantic relationship with a girl (Alexandra Khamova) adds a sweet touch to the narrative, yet it does little to shield him from everyday struggles, like working in a booth selling cassette tapes.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have stepped into the roles of young parents. Maintaining his typical overconfident demeanor, Vovka attempts to support his family, albeit through questionable methods.
- Ilya (Fedor Roshchin), a character marked by internal instability, has now turned his attention to physical self-improvement, imbuing his storyline with an added layer of drama.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to her hometown not alone but with a fiancé (Fedor Fedotov), which creates a surprising twist for her friends.
Sanya's familial issues are also a central theme. His mother (Ksenia Katalymova) finds herself arrested for financial fraud, while his father (Stepan Devonin) hopes to bridge the gap with a former partner who may not be who he seems.
Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The writers, deciding to dispel any ambiguous hints, explicitly set much of the action in Tula. Following the events of the first two seasons, the city has undergone transformations: many key figures from its underworld have perished, prompting the creators to introduce new characters and even "resurrect" some from previous plots.
Viewers can look forward to the intriguing return of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose apparent demises in the preceding season seemed conclusive. This time, the writers have worked to justify their survival more plausibly, injecting new intrigue and momentum into the storyline.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The musical backdrop remains one of the series' strongest suits. The compositions of Mujus beautifully encapsulate the mood of an anxious yet hope-filled era. Additionally, hits from the 90s are woven throughout, stirring a sense of nostalgia. Notably, the album "Morskaya" by the band "Mumiy Troll" is highlighted, although it emerges a year earlier than its historical release.
Slow Start or Calm Before the Storm?
Unlike earlier seasons, the third installment begins with a relatively slow pacing of events. However, an undercurrent of tension is palpable from the very first episodes. The burning question remains whether the creators will maintain this tempo or, as seen before, plunge the characters into a whirlwind of thrilling and perilous escapades.
End
The third season of "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" serves as a worthy continuation of the saga surrounding maturation, the challenges of decision-making, and the indomitable spirit of the complex 90s. Despite some contentious plot choices, it stands out as one of the premier examples of contemporary Russian cinema. The intrigue, dynamic storytelling, and emotional depth render this series a must-watch for anyone who appreciates drama steeped in historical context.