Chewing Gum: A Missed Opportunity in Teen Series

The recent 2024 release of the Russian series "Chewing Gum" on the Premier platform is marketed as a fresh take on teenage cinema. The streaming service's management has claimed this project will serve as a launching pad for rejuvenating its lineup of youth-oriented shows. However, with mixed reviews from audiences and critics alike, it becomes clear that the series struggles with significant challenges, ranging from a mundane plot to an unsettling approach in handling serious themes. In this analysis, we’ll delve into the elements that attract and repel viewers alike.

Plot: Love, Stalking, and Tragedy

At the heart of the narrative is Galia Shalamova (portrayed by Daria Balabanova), a girl who hails from a Moscow suburb orphanage, aspiring to enroll in VGIK (the All-Russian State University of Cinematography) to carve out a future as a screenwriter. Her life unfolds with layers of drama: an abusive relationship with her boyfriend Kirill (Anton Artemyev), the impending release of her mother (Yulia Volkova) from prison, and the stark absence of any support or genuine connection.

By chance, Galia stumbles upon a livestream hosted by a popular vlogger, Roma (Anton Rogachyov), who is known online by his pseudonym, Hans Schmiese. Coming from a privileged background, he symbolizes everything Galia has never experienced before: freedom, lightness, and carefreeness. Captivated by Roma, she begins to construct naive fantasies about a blissful future with him.

What starts as a romantic date quickly morphs into an imbalanced dependence, with Galia fabricating details about her life in an attempt to impress. Roma appears to treat their relationship as nothing more than a playful flirtation. His shocking act of staging his own death as a prank becomes the catalyst for unforeseen tragedy. Convinced of Roma's demise, Galia embarks on a quest to unearth and seek vengeance against his supposed “killer.”

Key Themes: Superficiality or Relevance?

"Chewing Gum" strives to explore a number of themes that seem ostensibly pertinent to contemporary youth. However, its execution leaves much to be desired.

1. Love and Stalking

Galia's transformation from a dreamy young girl to an obsessed stalker is troubling. Her behavior feels less like a display of affection and more like a concerning dependency. In tandem, Roma's deceptions and manipulations reveal a typical toxic dynamic.

2. Bullying and Toxic Environments

Abuse permeates not only Galia's relationship with Kirill but also extends into her broader interactions with the world. The ridicule she faces in the orphanage and the mockery from the elite youth create a stifling atmosphere.

3. Parents and Their Children

Despite Roma's family's material wealth, they are marred by disconnection and coldness. His mother is engulfed in her own problems, while his father buries himself in work, and his ailing sister exists in obscurity. Contrastingly, Galia is devoid of parental support: her mother has just exited prison, and her father is notably absent.

4. The Influence of Social Media

Roma exemplifies the archetype of a vlogger flaunting a fabricated lifestyle while concealing his true struggles. His circle maintains this façade, participating in the pretense of his death. While the series attempts to underscore the social media phenomenon's impact on adolescents, the subject is presented in a somewhat perfunctory manner.

Characters: Aiming for Complexity

The creators aimed to showcase layered, flawed personalities, yet the outcome often feels ambiguous.

• Galia elicits pity and empathy, yet her obsession and actions occasionally alienate her. She often comes across as a victim of circumstances rather than an independent figure.
• Roma is presented as the stereotypical rich kid: affluent, unfeeling, and carefree. His actions, particularly the death prank, render him thoroughly unsympathetic.
• Kirill, conversely, embodies the tropes of a caricatured 90s thug, displaying an abusive nature from the outset.

Production: Clichés and Mediocrity

Directed by Alexander Tsoy, whose previous works include "Difficult Teens" and "Smychok", "Chewing Gum" falls short of his past accomplishments in the realm of teenage drama.

1. Music and Visual Atmosphere

True to many local teen series, "Chewing Gum" is replete with neon parties, flashy montages, and lackluster music that serve more as background noise than as meaningful enhancements to the narrative depth.

2. Dialogue and Screenplay

With a team of nine screenwriters contributing, the project fails to deliver substantial results. Dialogues feel forced, and character behaviors often come off as incoherent.

Critique: Why Did the Series Disappoint Viewers?

Numerous viewers and critics have voiced their dissatisfaction with "Chewing Gum."

• Clichés Over Originality: The plot is replete with tired tropes — be it the neon parties or the wealthy teens oblivious to their privilege.
• Lack of Realism: The actors portraying teenagers appear significantly older than their characters, raising questions about believability.
• Absence of Clear Direction: The narrative tries to encompass too many themes, leading to a disjointed plot flow.

Comparison with Other Projects

Audiences have frequently drawn comparisons between "Chewing Gum" and other series like "Euphoria" or "Sex Education." However, these latter productions far exceed in terms of dramatic weight, character development, and relevancy of issues.

Culmination: Is It Worth Watching?

The series "Chewing Gum" stands as a quintessential example of an earnest endeavor to craft something contemporary and geared toward youth, but the outcome falls short of expectations. With its reliance on clichés, weak dialogue, and insufficiency in handling important themes, the project fails to distinguish itself within the genre landscape.

For viewers in search of a light-hearted teenage drama, "Chewing Gum" may hold some appeal. Yet, for those inclined towards more profound narratives, exploring other offerings might prove more rewarding.