Insightful Review of Season Three of Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!
Review of the Third Season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!": The Spirit of the '90s, Coming of Age, and the Inevitability of Change
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Rating: 8 out of 10
The series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" has long captured the hearts of viewers, striking a delicate balance between nostalgia for the tumultuous '90s and an engaging, multilayered narrative. The new season, which premiered on the online platform Premier, immerses us once again in the atmosphere of provincial Russia during the mid-'90s, but this time through the lens of the characters’ growing up.
Characters Mature, Problems Intensify
At the heart of this season is the same energetic group of friends who, despite the passage of two years, still find themselves ensnared in the most unpredictable situations. The storyline unfolds in the summer of 1996, symbolically marking a new chapter in the characters’ lives.
- Sanyka (Egor Gubarev) has left his school days behind and is now trying to navigate the complex adult world. His budding romance with a girl (Alexandra Khromova) adds a sweet yet challenging layer to the story, as everyday hurdles like working at a cassette stall crop up.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have stepped into the rollercoaster of parenthood. Vovka, true to his overconfident persona, is doing his utmost to support his family but resorts to questionable methods to achieve it.
- Ilya (Fyodor Roshchin), a character grappling with a tumultuous inner world, has taken an interest in physical self-improvement, adding a touch of depth and drama to his persona.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) makes a surprising return to her hometown, this time accompanied by her fiancé (Fyodor Fedotov), creating unexpected dynamics among her friends.
Sanyka's family issues come to the forefront, with his mother (Ksenia Katalymova) getting arrested for financial fraud, while his father (Stepan Devonin) clings to hopes of assistance from a former partner, who may not be the person he seems to be.
Crime-Infested Tula: A Maelstrom of Events
The writers have chosen to forego subtle hints and explicitly set the action in Tula. Following the events of the previous seasons, the city has undergone a transformation; many crucial figures from the criminal underworld have met their demise. This change compels the creators to introduce new characters and even resurrect familiar ones.
Viewers can look forward to the unexpected reappearance of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitek (Nikita Pavlenko), whose previous deaths seemed irrevocable. This time, the writers took care to underpin their survival with more plausible explanations, injecting intrigue and vigor into the plot's development.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The musical accompaniment remains a standout strength of the series. Mujus's compositions expertly capture the mood of this conflicted yet hopeful era. Additionally, the tunes of the '90s resound throughout, rekindling waves of nostalgia. Notably, the album "Sea" by the band "Mumiy Troll" makes an appearance, even though it realistically releases a year too early.
A Slow Start or a Calm Before the Storm?
Unlike previous seasons, the third installment begins with a relatively slow progression of events. However, a sense of tension is palpable from the very first episodes. The big question remains: will the creators maintain this pace, or as often seen, will the characters be swept into a whirlwind of gripping and perilous escapades?
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" stands as a notable continuation of the themes of growing up, the challenges of choices, and the spirit of the complex '90s. Despite some contentious narrative decisions, the show remains one of the finest examples of contemporary Russian cinema. Intrigue, dynamism, and emotional depth render this series a must-watch for anyone who appreciates drama steeped in historical context.