Exploring the Flaws of 'Chewing Gum': A 2024 Teen Drama

The Russian series "Chewing Gum" (2024), premiered on the Premier platform, aims to carve a niche for itself in the landscape of teen cinematography. The online streaming service has boldly claimed that this project will serve as a cornerstone for refreshing its slate of youth-oriented shows. Yet, audience feedback and critical analysis reveal glaring shortcomings, ranging from a lackluster plot to a dubious handling of relevant themes. Let’s delve into what both attracts and repels viewers from the series.

Plot: Love, Stalking, and Tragedy

At the heart of the story is Galia Shalamova (played by Daria Balabanova), a girl hailing from a suburban orphanage who aspires to enroll in VGIK and pursue a career as a screenwriter. Her existence is riddled with drama: an abusive relationship with her boyfriend Kirill (Anton Artemyev), the impending release of her mother (Yulia Volkova) from prison, and a stark absence of support or meaningful communication.

Galia stumbles upon a livestream from a popular vlogger named Roma (Anton Rogachev), known online as Hans Schmeuze. Hailing from a wealthy family, Roma seems to epitomize everything Galia has never known: freedom, lightness, and carefree joy. As Galia falls for Roma, she begins to construct naive fantasies of a blissful future with him.

However, their interaction, which starts as a romantic rendezvous, quickly devolves into an unreciprocated dependence. Galia fabricates stories about her life to impress him, while Roma treats their relationship as nothing more than a light-hearted fling. His reckless act – staging his own death as a prank – serves as a catalyst for tragedy. Convinced of her beloved’s demise, Galia resolves to track down and confront the assumed perpetrator of his “murder.”

Key Themes: Superficiality or Relevance?

While the series claims to explore various themes that should resonate with today’s youth, its execution leaves much to be desired.

1. Love and Stalking

Galia’s transformation from a whimsical dreamer to a preoccupied stalker illustrates an unhealthy fixation. Her behavior leans more toward an obsessive dependency than a display of true affection. Similarly, Roma’s deceptions and manipulative tendencies highlight a guide to the typical toxicity often found in relationships today.

2. Bullying and Toxic Environment

Abuse manifests not only in Galia’s relationship with Kirill but also in her everyday experiences. The relentless mockery in the orphanage, combined with derision from the affluent elite, creates a stifling backdrop that pervades the narrative.

3. Parents and Children

Despite the material affluence surrounding Roma, his family is fragmented and emotionally distant. His mother is ensnared in her own troubles, his father is entirely engrossed in work, and his sick sister falls into the shadows. In stark contrast, Galia is utterly alone, with her mother freshly released from prison and her father non-existent in her life.

4. Influence of Social Media

Roma, embodying the archetype of a typical influencer, curates a façade of a perfect life, masking his genuine struggles. His circle reinforces this illusion, routinely playing parts in his death hoax. This aspect begs to draw attention to the pervasive impact of social media on teenagers, yet the series only skims the surface on this critical issue.

Characters: An Attempt at Complexity

The creators of the series professed their ambition to craft nuanced, flawed characters. However, the outcome feels uneven.

• Galia elicits sympathy and compassion, but her obsessive tendencies and actions frequently push viewers away. She often comes across more as a puppet of circumstance than as an independent individual.
• Roma stands out as a stereotypical rich kid: affluent, unsympathetic, and frivolous. His choices, particularly the prank involving his fake death, render him utterly unlikable.
• Kirill can be seen as a caricature of a 90s thug, whose abuse is evident from the initial scenes.

Production: Clichés and Mediocrity

Directed by Alexander Tsou, known for works such as "Difficult Teenagers" and "Smychok," "Chewing Gum" fails to meet the expectations set by the director's previous experiences in youth drama.

1. Music and Visual Atmosphere

In line with many domestic teen dramas, "Chewing Gum" is chock-full of neon-lit parties, montage-style editing, and average soundtrack choices. Rather than enhancing the narrative depth, these elements merely create a visually appealing backdrop.

2. Dialogue and Script

Despite the contributions of nine screenwriters, the efforts yield little in terms of tangible results. The dialogue often sounds forced, and character actions are frequently illogical.

Critique: What Disappointed Viewers?

A significant number of viewers and critics expressed dissatisfaction toward **"Chewing Gum."

• Clichés Instead of Originality: The plot is replete with tropes – from glowing nightclub escapades to affluent teenagers disregarding money.
• Lack of Realism: The actors portraying teenagers appear notably older than their characters, raising doubts about the show’s authenticity.
• Absence of a Clear Narrative Line: The series aspires to cover an excessive array of themes, which ultimately leads to a disjointed storyline.

Comparison with Other Projects

Viewers have frequently drawn parallels between "Chewing Gum" and other series like "Euphoria" and "Sex Education." However, the latter concede higher levels of dramatic depth, character development, and issue relevance.

Epilogue: Is It Worth Watching?

The series "Chewing Gum" exemplifies a typical endeavor to manifest something timely and youthful, yet the result is subpar. With its clichés, weak dialogue, and superficial exploration of themes, the project fails to stand out in its genre.

For individuals seeking a lighthearted teen drama laden with moments of tension, "Chewing Gum" might provide an interesting viewing experience. However, for those accustomed to more profound storytelling, it may be prudent to shift focus toward other series.