Review of the Series Chewing Gum: Disappointment Awaits
The series "Chewing Gum" (2024) serves as a stark illustration of how the film industry often resorts to tired tropes and cliches to capture viewer attention, yet fails to deliver fresh concepts or quality execution. Like many contemporary Russian series, this project elicits confusion not just because of its content, but also due to its presentation format.
Plot: An Expected Disappointment
The title "Chewing Gum" speaks volumes. The attempt to depict a coming-of-age drama laced with social satire ultimately devolves into a ludicrous farce. From the very outset, viewers are confronted with a glaring inconsistency: the ages of the actors do not align with the characters they portray. The so-called high school seniors appear and act like adults in their late 20s or early 30s. Their mannerisms, speech patterns, and overall behavior starkly contrast with what one would expect from teenagers, thus shattering any hope of engaging with the series as a realistic portrayal of youth.
Acting Performance: Cringe Over Talent
The casting choices merit a conversation of their own. While a couple of actors may deliver passable performances, it hardly salvages the ensemble as a whole. Most of the cast seem to wander aimlessly across the screen, relishing the thrill of participating but lacking the drive to immerse themselves into their roles. The impression is that the casting process was driven more by personal connections or the director's charisma than by demonstrable talent.
It’s particularly striking how the actors make no effort to embody their teenage roles. They speak in a contrived, artificial dialect that feels so forced, it only breeds confusion. In their efforts to mimic youth vernacular, the writers have evidently overreached, resulting in dialogue that sounds unnatural and, at times, utterly ridiculous.
Direction and Screenplay: A Flop at Every Level
Gone are the days when Russian series occasionally delighted audiences with gripping plots or mesmerizing directorial choices. In "Chewing Gum," all hopes have vanished. The illogical nature of the screenplay, combined with weak direction, unveils itself in virtually every episode. Consequently, the series emerges as tasteless and derivative.
Why Did "Chewing Gum" Fail?
- Unprofessional Casting Choices.
Trying to cast individuals visibly older than the characters they represent is a surefire way to doom your project from the start. - Unnatural Dialogue.
In their quest for relevance, the writers have constructed a "new speak" that rings hollow and phony. - Lack of Original Ideas.
The plot fails to offer anything remotely interesting, innovative, or fresh. - Sloppy Direction.
Instead of delivering well-crafted scenes, viewers are treated to unjustified emotional outbursts and stereotypical conflicts.
Who Is This Series For?
Frankly, it’s hard to envision which audience could find this project appealing. The youth are unlikely to resonate with these characters, while older viewers are probably disinclined to waste their time on such superficial and vacant entertainment.
Overall Impression: A Fruitless Time Investment
Expectations surrounding "Chewing Gum" have been dashed on every front. The series appears as a collection of cliches and absurdities that evoke neither laughter nor tears. Even amid the backdrop of other contemporary Russian series, it stands out as particularly weak.
Judging by audience feedback, viewers seem to share a similar sentiment. Comments frequently include terms like "cringe," "farce," and "lack of talent." This is not without reason, as the project disappoints across the board—from the performances to the narrative.
So What’s the Verdict?
"Chewing Gum" epitomizes yet another instance of modern Russian cinema scraping the bottom of the barrel. If you happen to find yourself with free time, it would be far better spent consuming higher-quality content. The conclusion is crystal clear: watching this series equates to wasting 8 hours of your life.