Chewing Gum Review: A Lackluster Series in 2024
The Series "Chewing Gum" (2024): A Cringe Fest That Just Won't Stick
The 2024 series "Chewing Gum" serves as a glaring showcase of the film industry's attempts to entice viewers through cliched methods and tired tropes, all while offering neither fresh concepts nor competent execution. Like many contemporary Russian series, this project leaves audiences scratching their heads not only at its content but also at the format in which it is presented.
Plot: An Expected Letdown
The title "Chewing Gum" is indicative of its nature. The attempt to depict a teenage drama infused with hints of social satire devolves into an absurd farce. Right from the opening scenes, viewers are confronted with a striking mismatch between the ages of the actors and their supposed roles. The leads, purporting to be high school seniors, appear and act like adults in their late twenties or early thirties. Their mannerisms, behaviors, and speech styles starkly deviate from those typical of adolescents, shattering any chance for the series to be perceived as realistic.
Acting Performance: Cringe Over Talent
The casting choices warrant a discussion of their own. While a couple of actors perform relatively well, this minor bright spot does little to redeem the ensemble. A majority of the cast seems to roam the stage more out of joy for participating than any commitment to their roles. It gives the impression that the casting process hinged not on talent but rather on personal connections or the director's subjective charisma.
It is especially apparent that the actors make little effort to capture the essence of youth. Their dialogue is riddled with contrived phrases that sound so forced, they elicit confusion instead of engagement. In their quest to emulate youthful slang, the screenwriters have clearly exceeded their limits, resulting in dialogues that feel unnatural and at times ludicrous.
Direction and Script: A Complete Disappointment
In prior years, Russian series occasionally managed to captivate audiences with engaging storylines or inventive directorial choices. Here, however, any expectations of that sort vanish into thin air. The glaring lack of logic in the plot and subpar directorial work manifests in every single episode. Consequently, the series appears as a product lacking both creativity and originality.
Why Did "Chewing Gum" Fail?
- Unprofessional Casting Choices.
Attempting to portray teenagers while employing actors visibly over the age of 25 is a surefire misstep. - Artificial Dialogue.
In their chase for relevance, the writers crafted a "new speak" that feels inauthentic. - Absence of Fresh Ideas.
The plot ultimately offers nothing new, interesting, or original to keep viewers engaged. - Poor Directorial Skills.
Instead of well-developed scenes, the audience is met with unfounded emotional outbursts and stereotypical conflicts.
Who is This Series For?
Honestly, it's tough to envision which audience might genuinely appreciate this endeavor. The youth are unlikely to identify with these characters, while older viewers will probably shy away from indulging in such a superficial and pointless spectacle.
Overall Impression: A Waste of Time
"Chewing Gum" fails to meet expectations on any front. The series feels like a mishmash of clichés and absurdities that provoke neither laughter nor sorrow. Even when compared to other contemporary Russian series, it falls short.
Viewer reactions echo this sentiment. Comment sections frequently feature terms like "cringe," "farce," and "lack of talent." Such reactions are certainly well-founded, as the project disappoints across the board—from the acting to the storyline.
So, What’s the Finale?
"Chewing Gum" stands as yet another example of how modern Russian cinema continues to scrape the bottom of the barrel. If you find yourself with some free time, it would be wiser to dedicate it to content of higher quality. The takeaway is unequivocal: watching this series equates to squandering a full eight hours of your life.