Exploring the Flaws and Themes of Chewing Gum Series

The Teenage Series "Chewing Gum": A Rebirth of the Genre or Just a Collection of Clichés?

The Russian series "Chewing Gum" (2024), released on the Premier platform, aspires to redefine the teen genre in film. The leadership of the streaming service has declared that this project will serve as a cornerstone for revitalizing its lineup of youth shows. However, audience reactions and critical reviews point to notable issues: from a lackluster plot to questionable thematic exploration. Let’s dissect what draws viewers in and what ultimately pushes them away.

Plot: Love, Stalking, and Tragedies

At the heart of the narrative is Galia Shalamova (Daria Balabanova), a girl from a suburban orphanage who dreams of enrolling in VGIK and becoming a screenwriter. Her life is steeped in drama, rife with an abusive relationship with her boyfriend Kirill (Anton Artemyev), her mother's impending release from prison (Yulia Volkova), and a glaring absence of support and genuine communication.

By chance, Galia stumbles upon a stream by popular blogger Roma (Anton Rogachev), known online as Hans Shmuze. This young man, hailing from a wealthy family, embodies everything Galia has rarely experienced: freedom, ease, and carefree living. Enamored by Roma, she begins to weave naive fantasies of a blissful future.

The relationship between Galia and Roma, which begins with a romantic date, quickly devolves into an unbalanced dependency. She fabricates aspects of her life to impress him, whereas Roma views their connection as mere frivolity. His stunt of faking his own death as a prank becomes a trigger for tragedy. Believing that her beloved is dead, Galia resolves to track down and confront his "killer."

Key Themes: Shallowness or Relevance?

The series addresses several themes that should resonate with modern youth. Yet, the way these themes are presented leaves much to be desired.

1. Love and Stalking

Galia swiftly morphs from a starry-eyed dreamer into an obsessive stalker. Her actions reflect not so much genuine affection but rather a damaging dependence. In contrast, Roma's deceit and manipulation showcase a typical toxic dynamic.

2. Bullying and Toxic Environment

Abuse permeates not only Galia’s relationship with Kirill but also her broader interactions with the world. Abuse in the orphanage, a lack of support, mockery from the privileged elite create a stifling atmosphere.

3. Parent-Child Relationships

Despite Roma’s financial security, his family is disjointed and unfeeling. His mother is absorbed in her own woes, while his father is completely consumed by work, and a sick sister is overlooked. Conversely, Galia has no parental support to lean on; her mother has just been released from prison, while her father remains entirely absent.

4. The Influence of Social Media

Roma, as the archetypal blogger, displays a fabricated life, carefully concealing his real struggles. His circle perpetuates this charade, participating in the staged death scenario. This aspect was meant to highlight the impact of social media on adolescents, yet the series only skims the surface of this theme.

Characters: A Clumsy Attempt at Complexity

The creators aimed to portray multifaceted, imperfect characters, but the outcome has proven to be dubious.

• Galia elicits sympathy and compassion, yet her obsession and choices often alienate her. She comes across more as a victim of circumstance than a self-determined individual.
• Roma is a stereotypical wealthy kid: affluent, indifferent, and capricious. His antics, particularly the prank involving his "death," render his character thoroughly unlikable.
• Kirill, on the other hand, resembles a cartoonish thug from the 90s, with his abusive nature glaringly evident from the early scenes.

Production: Clichés and Mediocrity

Directed by Alexander Tsoy, known for his work on projects like "Difficult Teens" and "The Bridge", "Chewing Gum" fails to reach the caliber of his previous endeavors.

1. Music and Visual Atmosphere

Like many other domestic teen series, "Chewing Gum" brims with neon parties, clip-style editing, and average music. These elements serve more as background noise rather than augmenting the narrative’s depth.

2. Dialogue and Writing

Despite the involvement of nine screenwriters, their combined efforts failed to yield palpable results. The dialogue often sounds forced, and characters' actions frequently defy logic.

Critique: What Left Viewers Disappointed?

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

• Clichés Over Originality: The plot is loaded with clichés, from neon parties to affluent teens who take money for granted.
• Lack of Realism: The actors portraying teenagers often look significantly older than their characters, raising questions about authenticity.
• Absence of a Clear Narrative Arc: The series attempts to tackle too many issues at once, resulting in a disjointed story.

Comparison to Other Projects

Audiences have frequently drawn parallels between "Chewing Gum" and other shows such as "Euphoria" or "Sex Education". However, the level of drama, character depth, and topical relevance in these projects far exceeds that of "Chewing Gum."

Finale: Is it Worth Watching?

The series "Chewing Gum" stands as a typical example of an attempt to create something relevant and youthful, yet the result falls short of expectations. The reliance on clichés, weak dialogue, and superficial thematic exploration prevents the project from standing out among its genre peers.

For those seeking a lighthearted teenage show mixed with drama, "Chewing Gum" might appear engaging. However, for viewers accustomed to richer narratives, it would be wise to explore other offerings.