Chewing Gum: A Tween Series or A Missed Opportunity?

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

The Russian series "Chewing Gum" (2024), released on the Premier platform, aspires to redefine the landscape of teen cinema. The management of this online streaming service has voiced its commitment to this project as a new beginning for revitalizing the lineup of youth-oriented shows. However, audience feedback and critical reviews reveal glaring issues: from a lackluster storyline to a questionable approach to addressing pertinent themes. Let’s dissect what attracts and repels viewers about this series.

Plot: Love, Stalking, and Tragedies

At the heart of the plot is Galya Shalamova (Darya Balabanova), a girl raised in a suburban orphanage with ambitions to attend the renowned VGIK (Russian State Institute of Cinematography) and become a screenwriter. Her life is peppered with turmoil: toxic relations with her boyfriend Kirill (Anton Artemyev), the imminent release of her mother (Yulia Volkova) from prison, and a glaring lack of support and sincere communication in her surroundings.

Galya inadvertently stumbles upon a stream hosted by a popular blogger Roma (Anton Rogachev), who is known online as Hans Schmuze. This young man hails from a wealthy family and appears to embody everything Galya has never known—freedom, ease, and carefree living. Falling head over heels for Roma, she begins to weave naive fantasies about a blissful future together.

What commences as a romantic rendezvous between Galya and Roma swiftly morphs into a lopsided obsession. Galya lies about her life to impress him, while Roma treats their relationship as a frivolous fling. His act of faking his own death as a prank becomes the catalyst for tragedy; convinced of her beloved's demise, Galya embarks on a quest to find and take down his so-called "murderer."

Key Themes: Superficiality or Relevance?

The series tackles numerous themes that seemingly resonate with contemporary youth. Yet, the manner of their exploration raises significant doubts.

1. Love and Stalking

Galya's transformation from an innocent dreamer to a dangerously obsessed stalker is alarming. Her behavior reflects not genuine affection but rather a painful fixation that raises questions about her mental state. Conversely, Roma's deceitful and manipulative actions showcase a typical toxically masculine presence.

2. Bullying and Toxic Environments

Abuse extends beyond Galya’s tumultuous relationship with Kirill; it permeates her interactions with the world around her. With bullying rife in the orphanage, a dire lack of support, and snickering from the so-called "golden youth," the atmosphere becomes utterly stifling.

3. Parents and Children

Interestingly enough, Roma's family, despite material abundance, is emotionally detached and cold. His mother is lost in her own struggles, his father is completely absorbed in work, and his ill sister remains neglected. Conversely, Galya’s familial situation is even more dire; her mother has only just emerged from incarceration, while her father is a complete mystery.

4. The Influence of Social Networks

Roma portrays the archetypal blogger who flaunts a fabricated life, hiding his genuine issues beneath this veneer. His circle of friends reinforces this illusion, participating in the charade of his faux demise. Although this element seems poised to highlight the impact of social media on teenagers, it remains woefully underdeveloped in the series.

Characters: An Attempt to Show Ambiguity

The creators of the series claimed that their goal was to develop intricate, flawed characters. However, the execution leaves something to be desired.

• Galya elicits sympathy yet her obsession and actions frequently push viewers away. She appears more as a victim of circumstances rather than an autonomous individual.
• Roma comes off as a caricature of a spoiled rich kid: affluent, callous, and flippant. His actions, particularly the prank with his "death," render him utterly unsympathetic.
• Kirill, on the other hand, is portrayed as a one-dimensional bully, reminiscent of a gangster from the ’90s, whose abusive nature is apparent from their initial encounters.

Direction: Clichés and Mediocrity

Directed by Alexander Tsoi, known for his work on "Difficult Adolescents" and "Smychok," Chewing Gum unfortunately falls short of the standards set by the director's previous endeavors.

1. Music and Visual Atmosphere

As is common with many domestic teen series, Chewing Gum is rife with neon parties, fragmentary clips, and mediocre soundtracks. These components serve more to establish a superficial backdrop rather than contribute any real substance to the narrative.

2. Dialogue and Script

Despite the involvement of nine screenwriters, the results are sadly lacking. The dialogue often feels forced, and character actions frequently defy logic.

Critiques: What Left Viewers Disappointed?

Audience and critics alike have expressed dissatisfaction with Chewing Gum.

• Clichés in Place of Originality: The narrative is saturated with tired tropes—from neon-laden soirées to wealthy teens devoid of financial constraints.
• Lack of Realism: The actors portraying teenagers appear notably older than their characters, prompting skepticism about the portrayal's authenticity.
• Absence of a Clear Line: The series attempts to tackle an array of themes, leading to a storyline that lacks cohesion.

Comparison with Other Projects

Viewers have frequently drawn parallels between Chewing Gum and other series like "Euphoria" or "Sex Education." However, the dramatic depth, character development, and relevance of issues featured in those shows far surpass Chewing Gum.

End: Is It Worth Watching?

Chewing Gum exemplifies a typical attempt to craft something modern and youthful, yet the outcome fails to impress. Clichés, weak dialogue, and shallow thematic exploration prevent this project from distinguishing itself in a crowded genre.

For those on the lookout for a lighthearted teen show laced with drama, Chewing Gum might just capture their attention. However, for viewers accustomed to more profound narratives, seeking solace in other projects might be a more rewarding endeavor.