Chewing Gum (2024): A Dismal Attempt at Drama
"Chewing Gum" (2024) serves as a glaring illustration of how the entertainment industry often resorts to cliched tactics to capture viewer attention, only to offer a lackluster dose of fresh ideas and quality execution. This project, much like several contemporary Russian television series, raises eyebrows not solely because of its content but also due to its awkward presentation.
Plot: An Anticipated Disappointment
The title "Chewing Gum" practically speaks for itself. It’s an attempt to portray a youthful drama sprinkled with social satire, but it has stumbled into a realm of absurd farce. From the very first frames, viewers are confronted with the glaring issue of how the ages of the actors starkly clash with the characters they portray. The central figures—supposedly high school seniors—appear and act more like adults in their mid-twenties to early thirties. Their dialogue, demeanor, and speech style completely fail to align with that of actual teenagers, effectively tarnishing any chance the series had of being perceived as realistic.
Acting: Cringe Instead of Talent
The casting choices deserve their own mention. While there are a couple of performers who manage to exhibit a degree of competency, overall, they don’t save the ensemble from mediocrity. Most actors seem to frolic around the stage, enjoying the sheer fact of being part of the project rather than immersing themselves in their respective roles. It feels as though the casting process prioritized personal connections or the director’s appeasing charisma over genuine talent.
Notably, the performers make no attempt to embody teenagers. Instead, they deliver lines in a contrived, artificial tongue that rings alarmingly false. The writers’ attempt to mirror youth slang clearly backfired, resulting in dialogue that is not just awkward but at times downright ridiculous.
Direction and Script: A Flop at Every Turn
In the past, even if Russian series occasionally delighted their audiences with captivating plots or inventive directing, those expectations have evaporated here. The logical gaps in the script and the lackluster directing are glaringly evident in each episode. Consequently, the series comes across as talentless and derivative.
Why Did "Chewing Gum" Flop?
- Unprofessional Casting Decisions.
Attempting to portray teenagers while casting visibly older actors is an obvious misstep. - Artificial Dialogue.
In their quest for relevance, the writers conjured up a made-up vernacular that sounds contrived and phony. - Absence of New Concepts.
The storyline fails to present anything novel, engaging, or imaginative. - Sloppy Directing.
Viewers are treated to unconvincing emotional outbursts and clichéd conflicts instead of well-crafted scenes.
Who Is This Series For?
Honestly, it’s a challenge to determine who this project would resonate with. Young audiences are unlikely to see reflections of themselves in these characters, while older generations are probably not keen on wasting their time on superficial and futile entertainment.
Overall Impression: A Waste of Time
Expectations for "Chewing Gum" fell flat across the board. The series plays out like a collection of tropes and absurdities that fail to elicit laughter or tears. Even when compared to other modern Russian shows, it stands out as particularly feeble.
Feedback from viewers echoes this sentiment, with frequent mentions of terms like "cringe," "farce," and "lack of talent." Such remarks are completely justified, as the project disappoints on all fronts, from acting to storyline.
So, What’s the Final Word?
"Chewing Gum" marks yet another instance of contemporary Russian cinema hitting rock bottom. If you have spare time on your hands, it would be wiser to invest it in more quality content. The conclusion is clear: watching this series translates to squandering eight hours of your life.