The Dilemmas of Love and Reality in Chewing Gum

The Russian television series "Chewing Gum" (2024), released on the Premier streaming platform, aspires to carve out a new niche in the domain of teen cinema. The streaming service's leadership heralded this project as a pivotal moment for refreshing its lineup of youth-oriented shows. Yet, audience reactions and critical reviews reveal a spectrum of issues, ranging from a trite plot to a questionable approach towards thematic exploration. Let's delve into what makes this series both enticing and repelling to its viewers.

Plot: Love, Stalking, and Tragedy

At the heart of the narrative is Galya Shalamova (played by Darya Balabanova), a girl from a suburban orphanage who harbors dreams of studying scriptwriting at VGIK. Her life is rife with turmoil: an abusive relationship with her boyfriend Kirill (Anton Artemyev), the looming release of her mother (Yuliya Volkova) from prison, and a stark absence of support or genuine communication.

By chance, Galya stumbles upon a stream by a popular blogger named Roma (Anton Rogachev), who is more widely known by his online alias Hans Schmuze. This young man, hailing from a wealthy family, epitomizes everything Galya longs for: freedom, ease, and a carefree existence. Enamored with Roma, she begins to weave naive fantasies about a blissful future.

What starts as a romantic outing between Galya and Roma quickly devolves into an unbalanced obsession. In an effort to impress him, Galya fabricates details about her life, while Roma treats their relationship as a mere flirtation. His decision to stage his own death as a prank serves as a catalyst for tragedy. Believing him to be truly dead, Galya resolves to hunt down and punish his 'murderer.'

Key Themes: Shallowness or Relevance?

The series raises several themes that ostensibly should resonate with today’s youth. However, the execution leaves much to be desired.

1. Love and Stalking

Galya quickly transitions from a youthful dreamer to an obsessive stalker. Her behavior reflects more of a painful dependency than sincere affection. Meanwhile, Roma's deceitful and manipulative actions reveal a classic toxic dynamic.

2. Bullying and Toxic Environment

Abuse permeates not only Galya's relationship with Kirill but also her broader interactions with society. The taunting in the orphanage, along with the lack of support and the derision from the so-called "golden youth," fosters a stifling atmosphere.

3. Parent-Child Dynamics

Roma’s family, despite their financial affluence, is emotionally detached and cold. His mother is consumed by personal troubles, his father is engrossed in work, and a sick sister remains in the shadows. In stark contrast, Galya is completely unsupported, with her mother just released from prison and her father conspicuously absent from the narrative.

4. The Role of Social Media

Roma, as a quintessential blogger, showcases a fabricated life, obscuring his real issues. His circle perpetuates this façade, gamely participating in the death hoax. This dimension was intended to highlight the impact of social media on teenagers, yet the series merely skims the surface of this significant topic.

Characters: A Bid to Illustrate Ambivalence

The creators claimed their goal was to develop complex, imperfect characters. However, the outcome is rather mixed.

• Galya elicits sympathy and compassion, yet her obsession often repulses viewers. She comes across as more of a victim of circumstances rather than an autonomous individual.
• Roma is portrayed as a stereotypical rich kid: affluent, insensitive, and frivolous. His actions, particularly the prank involving his "death," render him entirely unsympathetic.
• Kirill, on the other hand, embodies a caricatured 90s thug, with his abusive tendencies apparent from the earliest scenes.

Direction: Clichés and Mediocrity

Directed by Alexander Tsoi, known for previous works like "Difficult Teens" and "Smichok," "Chewing Gum" fails to reach the standard set by his earlier projects, despite his experience in youth dramas.

1. Music and Visual Atmosphere

Like many domestic teenage series, "Chewing Gum" is replete with neon parties, hasty montages, and lackluster music. These elements serve more as background noise than adding any depth to the storytelling.

2. Dialogues and Writing

With nine screenwriters on board, one might expect a cohesive narrative. Instead, the dialogues frequently feel forced, and character behaviors often lack logic.

Criticism: Why Did the Series Disappoint Viewers?

A number of viewers and critics expressed dissatisfaction with "Chewing Gum."

• Clichés Over Originality: The plot brims with stereotypes—from neon-lit parties to affluent adolescents unconcerned with finances.
• Lack of Realism: The actors portraying teenagers appear significantly older than their roles, raising credibility issues.
• Absence of a Clear Narrative Arc: The series attempts to address an excessive number of themes, resulting in a disjointed storyline.

Comparisons with Other Projects

Viewers have often drawn parallels between "Chewing Gum" and other series such as "Euphoria" or "Sex Education." However, the intensity of drama, character development, and thematic relevance in those projects far surpasses that of "Chewing Gum."

Epilogue: Is It Worth Watching?

The series "Chewing Gum" is a quintessential example of an effort to create something contemporary and relatable for youth, yet the outcome falls short. With its clichés, weak dialogues, and superficial thematic exploration, it struggles to stand apart from other works in its genre.

For those seeking a light-hearted teenage show infused with drama, "Chewing Gum" might pique interest. However, viewers who appreciate more profound stories may want to look elsewhere.