Gum: A Televised Trainwreck of 2024

Gum: A Cringe-Filled Misadventure in 2024 Television

The series "Gum" (2024) serves as a glaring testament to the film industry’s desperate attempts to grab audience attention through clichéd methods and uninspired content, all while delivering neither fresh ideas nor high-caliber execution. Like many recent Russian offerings, this project leaves viewers scratching their heads, not only due to its material but also owing to the unconvincing format employed.

Plot: An Expected Disappointment

The title "Gum" speaks volumes on its own. Attempting to convey a coming-of-age teenage drama infused with elements of social satire, it ends up devolving into sheer farce. From the outset, viewers are hit with an egregious mismatch between the actors’ ages and their supposed roles. The protagonists—presumably high school seniors—appear and behave like individuals well into their twenties or thirties. Their mannerisms, dialect, and style of speaking starkly diverge from those typical of teenagers, obliterating any chance of experiencing the show as a genuine portrayal of adolescence.

Acting: Cringe Over Talent

Casting is another matter entirely worthy of discussion. While there are a couple of performers who display a modicum of acting proficiency, their contributions fail to salvage the ensemble. A significant portion of the cast seems preoccupied with the mere act of participating rather than embodying their characters. It feels as though the casting process hinged less on genuine talent and more on personal connections or the allure perceived by the director.

Notably, the actors appear to abandon all pretense of being teenagers. Their dialogue is riddled with contrived, artificial vernacular, sounding so forced that it compels viewers to raise an eyebrow in confusion. In their zealous bid to emulate youthful slang, the writers have clearly overreached, resulting in conversations that feel stilted and rather absurd.

Directing and Script: A Comprehensive Failure

In years gone by, some Russian serials provided viewers with captivating plots or inspired directorial touches, yet "Gum" completely misses the mark on both fronts. A pervading absence of logical cohesion in the writing and a lackluster directorial effort manifests in each and every episode. Consequently, the series comes across as uninspired and derivative.

Why Did "Gum" Flop?

1. Unprofessional Casting Choices:
   Playing teens while being obviously over 25 is a surefire recipe for failure.
2. Artificial Dialogue:
   Chasing relevance, the writers concocted a jargon that rings hollow.
3. Lack of Fresh Concepts:
   The storyline offers nothing novel, intriguing, or creative.
4. Shoddy Directing:
   Instead of well-thought-out scenes, viewers are treated to baseless emotional outbursts and stereotypical conflicts.

Who is This Series For?

Frankly, it's hard to envision any demographic that could appreciate this misfire. Young viewers are unlikely to see themselves reflected in these caricatured characters, while older audiences will probably balk at spending their time on an insipid spectacle devoid of depth.

General Impression: A Waste of Time

Expectations surrounding "Gum" fell flat at every turn. The series unfolds as a collection of tropes and absurdities that elicit neither laughter nor tears. Even amidst the slew of other contemporary Russian series, it remains a pitiable offering.

Viewers’ reactions echo this sentiment, with prevalent commentary mentioning words like "cringe," "farce," and "lack of talent." Such descriptions are indeed justified, as the project disappoints on multiple fronts—be it through the acting, storyline, or overall presentation.

What’s the Ending?

"Gum" exemplifies a recurring trend in modern Russian cinema, persistently hitting rock bottom. If you find yourself with some free time, it would be far wiser to devote those hours to more deserving content. The bottom line is clear: watching this series equates to squandering eight hours of your life.