Chewing Gum: Fresh Take or Just Another Teen Drama?

The Russian series "Chewing Gum" (2024), which debuted on the platform Premier, aims to redefine the landscape of teenage cinema. The streaming service claims this project is the starting point for revitalizing its lineup of youth-oriented shows. However, audience feedback and critical reviews signal some glaring issues—from a clichéd plot to a questionable approach to theme development. Let's dissect what makes this series both appealing and off-putting to its viewers.

Plot: Love, Stalking, and Tragedy

At the heart of the story lies Galia Shalamova (played by Daria Balabanova), a girl raised in a Moscow suburban orphanage who dreams of getting into VGIK (the All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography) to become a screenwriter. Her life is fraught with drama: she finds herself in an abusive relationship with her boyfriend Kirill (Anton Artemyev), faces the impending release of her mother (Julia Volkova) from prison, and experiences a complete lack of support and genuine communication.

By chance, Galia stumbles upon a live stream by a popular blogger named Roma (Anton Rogachev), who is known online as Hans Schmuze. Coming from an affluent family, Roma epitomizes everything Galia has never known: freedom, ease, and a carefree lifestyle. As she becomes infatuated with Roma, she begins weaving naïve fantasies about a blissful future together.

What starts as a romantic outing quickly spirals into a one-sided dependency. Galia fabricates stories about her life to impress Roma, who treats the relationship as a frivolous flirt. His prank—staging his own death—serves as the catalyst for tragedy. Believing her beloved to be dead, Galia embarks on a quest to find and take revenge on his "killer."

Key Themes: Shallowness or Relevance?

The series touches on several themes that ostensibly resonate with modern youth. Yet the manner in which these themes are presented raises numerous questions.

1. Love and Stalking

Galia’s evolution from a youthful dreamer to an obsessed stalker blurs the lines between romantic affection and harmful fixation. Rather than a portrayal of love, her actions manifest as a painful addiction. On the flip side, Roma’s deceit and manipulation reveal the ugly side of toxic relationships.

2. Bullying and a Toxic Environment

Abuse is not confined to Galia's relationship with Kirill; it permeates her interactions with the outside world. The torment she faces in the orphanage, the lack of support, and the mocking from the 'golden youth' contribute to a suffocating atmosphere.

3. Parent-Child Dynamics

Despite their financial stability, Roma’s family feels estranged and cold. His mother is preoccupied with her own issues, while his father immerses himself at work, leaving his ailing sister unattended. Galia, in stark contrast, is entirely unsupported, with her mother freshly released from prison and her father conspicuously absent.

4. The Impact of Social Media

As a typical influencer, Roma displays a fabricated life that conceals his real struggles. His friends play along in the charade of his staged death. This aspect is intended to underscore social media’s effect on teens, yet its exploration is disappointingly superficial within the series.

Characters: An Attempt at Ambiguity

The creators of the series aimed to construct complex, imperfect characters. However, the execution is decidedly mixed.

• Galia tends to evoke sympathy and compassion; nonetheless, her obsession and actions frequently alienate viewers. Instead of emerging as a strong individual, she appears as a victim of circumstance.
• Roma comes across as the archetypical spoiled rich kid: wealthy, insensitive, and frivolous. His actions, particularly the prank involving his "death," render him utterly unlikable.
• Kirill takes the role of a one-dimensional bully reminiscent of a caricature from the 90s, with his abusive nature immediately evident from the outset.

Direction: Clichés and Mediocrity

Directed by Alexander Tsoy, who previously worked on youth dramas like "Difficult Teens" and "The Connection," "Chewing Gum" falls short of the quality showcased in his earlier projects.

1. Music and Visual Atmosphere

Like many Russian teenage series, "Chewing Gum" is rife with neon parties, video clip-style montages, and average music. These elements serve more as a backdrop than infusing depth into the storyline.

2. Dialogue and Script

Despite contributions from nine scriptwriters, the project lacks substantial impact. The dialogues often sound forced, and character behaviors frequently stray into illogical territory.

Critique: What Disappointed Viewers?

Many viewers and critics expressed disappointment with "Chewing Gum".

• Clichés over Originality: The plot is saturated with tropes—from neon-lit parties to wealthy teens unconcerned about anything.
• Lack of Realism: The young actors portraying teenagers appear significantly older than their characters, raising doubts about the show's authenticity.
• Absence of a Clear Narrative Arc: The series attempts to tackle an excessive range of themes, resulting in a loss of coherent storytelling.

Comparison with Other Projects

Viewers have drawn parallels between "Chewing Gum" and other series such as "Euphoria" and "Sex Education". However, these comparable shows offer a higher caliber of drama, nuanced character development, and more pressing social issues.

Closure: Is It Worth Watching?

The series "Chewing Gum" is a prime example of an attempt to craft something relevant and youthful, yet the outcome leaves much to be desired. With its clichés, weak dialogues, and superficial exploration of themes, it fails to carve a niche amidst other works in the genre.

For those seeking a light-hearted teenage drama with a touch of depth, "Chewing Gum" might come across as intriguing. However, for viewers in search of more profound narratives, it would be more prudent to turn their attention to alternative offerings.