Insights into Season 3 of 'Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!'
Review of Season Three of the Series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!": "How Little Has Been Lived, How Much Has Been Experienced"
Rating: 8 out of 10
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Cast: Yegor Gubarev, Yuri Borisov, Valentina Lyapina, Fedor Roshchin, Evgeny Tkachuk, Viktor Sukhorukov, and others.
Summer 1996: What’s New?
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" transports viewers back to the summer of 1996, maintaining the core cast but allowing them to age and gain experience. The setting is the town of Tula, where significant changes have occurred in the two years since the events of the previous season. The main characters, once carefree teenagers, now confront the pressing challenges of adulthood: family responsibilities, dubious schemes, and the specter of incarceration—all interwoven with the eternal struggle for survival and happiness.
Key Plotlines:
- Sanka (Yegor Gubarev): Having graduated from school, Sanka strives to embark on an adult life, finding work at a market while navigating a budding relationship with a new girlfriend.
- Vovka and Malaya (Yegor Abramov, Polina Gukhman): Stepping into parenthood, Vovka grapples with providing for his family, often getting involved in dangerous schemes.
- Ilya (Fedor Roshchin): Embracing a passion for sports and weights, Ilya adds a layer of comedic mishaps to his character.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina): Returning to Tula with her fiancé, Zhenya stirs up surprise and jealousy among her friends.
- Sanka's Mother: She finds herself behind bars due to shady dealings, while her husband clings to hope for saving their family.
In parallel, Tula’s dark underbelly surfaces as the city’s criminal subplot thickens. The creators have no qualms about positioning Tula as the backdrop. Following a noticeable reduction in criminal elements in past seasons, new characters enrich the narrative landscape. Surprisingly, presumed deceased characters, Alik and Vityok, make a comeback, this time with a more plausible story to explain their reappearance.
Strengths of the Season
An Immersive Atmosphere and Music
As in previous installments, music plays a crucial role in establishing the show's atmosphere. The soundtrack is a delightful blend of 90s hits alongside original compositions crafted specifically for the series. The album "Morskaya" by the band "Mumiy Troll," although released here before its actual launch, emerges as a hallmark that captures the essences of a new era. Musical interludes support pivotal scenes, enhancing their emotional impact.
Attention to Detail
The visual style and narrative craft a nostalgic echo of the 90s. Every frame draws audiences into the era of roadside kiosks, fashion statements of the time, and the everyday dilemmas that characterized life then. The personal and the social dance together to create a vivid depiction of that period.
Characters You Can’t Let Go Of
The character arcs in the third season are brimming with memorable experiences. The writers adeptly balance humor and drama, illustrating the clash between youthful naivety and the stark realities of growing up. Special mention must go to Yegor Gubarev and Yuri Borisov for their remarkable performances, breathing depth and authenticity into their roles.
Drawbacks and Controversial Elements
Some viewers might find the pacing of the season's beginning a tad sluggish. Typically, slow plot development helps to build tension, yet in this instance, it risks tiring out those eager for immediate thrills.
Moreover, the return of certain formerly "deceased" characters may seem to some as a narrative maneuver to restore equilibrium, rather than a natural evolution of the story.
Overall Assessment
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" continues to captivate with its authenticity and emotional depth. The writers skillfully explore significant themes of maturity, family ties, and friendship, keeping in mind that their project is, first and foremost, a human-centered narrative. Despite its contentious moments, this new season merits attention due to its commendable direction, strong ensemble cast, and ability to evoke nostalgia for a bygone era.