Exploring Season Three of 'Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!'
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 held a special place in the hearts of its audience, striking a delicate balance between nostalgia for the tumultuous 90s and a captivating, multilayered narrative. The premiere of the third season, which took place on the online platform Premier, immerses viewers once again in the vibrant world of provincial Russia in the mid-90s, this time seen through the lens of the protagonists' journey toward adulthood.
Characters Maturing, Complications Arising
At the core of the action is the restless group of friends who, despite the passing of two years, still find themselves embroiled in unexpected circumstances. The new season unfolds during the summer of 1996, symbolically marking the beginning of a new chapter in the characters' lives.
- Sanya (Egor Gubarev) has left school behind and is striving to establish himself in the complex world of adulthood. His budding romance with a girl (Alexandra Khromova) brings a sweet touch to the narrative, yet it does nothing to shield him from the daily struggles, such as working at a stall selling cassette tapes.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Guakhman) have embraced parenthood, with Vovka trying to provide for his family while wrestling with questionable choices that reflect his overconfident nature.
- Ilya (Fedor Roshchin), a character plagued by an unstable inner world, is now consumed by a quest for physical self-improvement, injecting a dramatic edge to his storyline.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to her hometown not alone but accompanied by a fiancé (Fedor Fedotov), creating an unexpected twist for her friends.
Sanya’s family trials take center stage as well. His mother (Ksenia Katalymova) finds herself arrested for financial fraud, while his father (Stepan Devonin) hangs his hopes on a former partner, who might not be who he claims to be.
Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The writers, abandoning subtle hints, explicitly set the action in Tula. Following the events of the first two seasons, the city undergoes transformations; many key figures from the criminal underworld have perished, prompting the creators to introduce new characters and even "resurrect" familiar faces.
Viewers can anticipate the unexpected return of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose deaths in the previous season seemed final. This time, the writers have crafted a believable rationale for their survival, adding intrigue and dynamism to the unfolding plot.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The musical accompaniment remains one of the series' strongest assets. Mujus's compositions masterfully capture the mood of this anxious yet hopeful era. Additionally, iconic hits from the 90s elicit waves of nostalgia. Notably, the album "Sea" by the band "Mumiy Troll" is highlighted, even though it is released a year earlier than in real-time.
A Slow Start or the Calm Before the Storm?
In comparison to previous seasons, the third installment begins with relatively slow-paced developments. However, the tension is palpable from the outset. The question that arises is whether the writers will maintain this rhythm or, as seen before, thrust the characters into a whirlwind of thrilling and perilous adventures.
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" stands as a worthy continuation of the narrative about maturation, the complexities of choice, and the spirit of the challenging 90s. Despite some contentious plot choices, this project remains one of the finest examples of contemporary Russian cinema. The intrigue, pace, and emotional depth render the series a must-watch for anyone who appreciates drama with historical resonance.