Exploring the Third Season of 'Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!'
Review of the Third Season of the Series "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 by striking a delicate balance between nostalgia for the turbulent 90s and its engaging, multi-layered story. The premiere of its third season on the online platform Premier plunges us back into the ambiance of provincial Russia in the mid-90s, yet it does so through the lens of its characters' maturation.
Characters Grow Up, Challenges Intensify
At the heart of the unfolding narrative remains an energetic group of friends who find themselves embroiled in the most unexpected situations, even after two years have elapsed since we last saw them. Set against the backdrop of the summer of 1996, this time frame symbolizes a new chapter in their lives.
- Sanya (Egor Gubarev) has left school behind and is grappling with the complexities of adult life. His budding romance with a girl, Alexandra Khamova, introduces a sweet but challenging dynamic, as daily tribulations, such as working at a cassette stall, loom large.
- Vova (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have stepped into the role of young parents. Vova, maintaining his quintessentially overconfident air, finds himself attempting to provide for his family through questionable means.
- Ilya (Fyodor Roshchin), a character marked by an unstable inner world, is now focused on physical self-improvement, adding a layer of drama to his persona.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) surprises her friends by returning to their hometown not alone but accompanied by her fiancé, Fyodor Fedotov, an unexpected twist that stirs the pot.
The family troubles facing Sanya swiftly take center stage, highlighted by his mother (Ksenia Katalymova) being arrested for financial malfeasance, while his father (Stepan Devonin) clings to the hope of assistance from a former partner who may not be as trustworthy as he seems.
Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The screenwriters have chosen to shed any veils and directly spotlight Tula as the setting for the unfolding drama. In the wake of the events of the first two seasons, the city undergoes significant transformations: many key figures in the criminal underworld have met their demise, compelling the creators to introduce new characters and even "resurrect" old ones.
Audiences can expect the unexpected return of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose deaths in the previous season had seemed final. This time, the writers work to rationalize their survival more credibly, infusing intrigue and momentum into the plot's progression.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The musical score continues to rank among the series' strongest features. Compositions by Mujus effectively encapsulate the anxious yet hopeful tone of the era. The inclusion of 90s hits sparks a wave of nostalgia, with special emphasis on the album "Morskaya" by the band "Mumiy Troll," released earlier in the timeline than it should have been.
A Slow Start or the Calm Before the Storm?
Unlike previous seasons, this third installment opens with a relatively leisurely pacing of events. However, an underlying tension is palpable from the first few episodes. The question remains whether the creators will maintain this rhythm or, as in the past, thrust the characters into a whirlpool of thrilling and perilous adventures.
Finale
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" serves as a compelling continuation of a coming-of-age tale, rich with themes of difficult choices and the spirit of the challenging 90s. Despite a few contentious plot decisions, the series stands tall as one of the finest representations of contemporary Russian cinema. Intrigue, pace, and emotional depth render this show a must-watch for anyone who appreciates drama steeped in historical context.