Exploring the Depths of 'Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!' Season 3
Review of Season Three 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 audiences, masterfully blending nostalgia for the tumultuous 90s with an engaging, multilayered narrative. The third season, which premiered on the online platform Premier, plunges us once again into the ambience of mid-90s provincial Russia, but this time through the lens of the characters’ maturation.
Characters Grow Up, Challenges Intensify
At the heart of the story lies a vibrant group of friends who, despite the passage of time and two years of their lives, find themselves embroiled in the most unexpected dilemmas. The new season unfolds in the summer of 1996, coincidentally marking a pivotal moment in the lives of the protagonists.
- Sanya (Egor Gubarev) has left school behind and is striving to navigate the complexities of adult life. His new relationship with his girlfriend (Alexandra Kromova) adds a romantic flair to the storyline but doesn't shield him from the everyday struggles, like working in a shop that sells cassettes.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have stepped into the roles of young parents. Vovka, maintaining his trademark confidence, faces the responsibility of supporting his family, albeit through somewhat questionable methods.
- Ilya (Fedor Roshchin), a character marked by his internal tumult, now immerses himself in physical self-improvement, injecting dramatic tension into his narrative.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to her hometown not alone, but with her fiancé (Fedor Fedotov), providing an unexpected turn for her friends.
Sanya's family troubles also take center stage. His mother (Ksenia Katalymova) finds herself arrested for financial crimes, while his father (Stepan Devonin) clings to hopes of assistance from an old partner who may not be who he appears to be.
Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The writers have opted to be explicit about the setting, directly naming Tula as the backdrop for the unfolding drama. The aftermath of the first two seasons leaves the city in a state of flux: many prominent figures in the criminal underworld have perished, compelling the creators to introduce new characters and even "resurrect" certain figures from before.
This season promises surprising returns of Alik (Yuri Borissov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose deaths in previous seasons seemed final. Now, the writers have crafted a more believable narrative to justify their survival, adding layers of intrigue and dynamics to the plot’s development.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The musical accompaniment remains one of the series' standout features. Mujus's compositions artfully capture the mood of a time fraught with uncertainty yet filled with hope. Additionally, the incorporation of 90s hits stirs a deep sense of nostalgia. Notably, the album "Morskaya" by the band "Mumiy Troll" receives special attention, despite it being released a year earlier than it should chronologically.
A Slow Start or a Calm Before the Storm?
Unlike previous seasons, this third installment begins with a relatively slow pace. However, the tension is palpable from the first few episodes. The real question remains: will the creators maintain this steady rhythm, or will they, as seen in exhibitions past, plunge the characters into a whirlwind of thrilling and perilous escapades?
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" serves as a robust continuation of the narrative surrounding the trials of growth, the difficulties of choice, and the spirit of the challenging 90s. Though there are some contentious plot decisions, the project continues to stand out as one of the exemplary models of contemporary Russian cinema. The intrigue, pacing, and emotional resonance make this series a must-watch for anyone who values drama with historical undertones.