Three Steps Above Heaven

Three Steps Above Heaven is a 2010 Spanish romantic drama film directed by Fernando González Molina. The movie tells the story of two young people from vastly different backgrounds who find themselves inexorably drawn to each other in a tumultuous romance that defies the conventions of their respective worlds. At the heart of the film is Babi, a beautiful, refined, and sheltered young woman from an affluent family, who lives a life of privilege and luxury. Her parents are wealthy and socially influential, and they have instilled in her a sense of decorum, propriety, and obedience to the rules that govern their world. Babi's life is one of predictable routine, carefully managed by her parents to ensure that she leads a life free of risk and danger. On the other end of the spectrum is Hache, a reckless, impulsive, and hot-headed young man, who lives on the margins of society. He is a product of a broken home, and his life is a series of petty scrapes and close calls. Hache's world is one of motorcycle racing, street fights, and illicit activities, where the line between right and wrong is constantly blurred. He is a rebellious and self-destructive individual who has lost faith in the system and sees no future for himself in the mainstream world. The movie begins with the two young people stumbling upon each other at a high school football match, where Hache is involved in a confrontation with some of Babi's friends. Their initial encounter ends with Hache badly beating Babi up, and an astounded Babi managing to leave him behind. However, their paths continue to crisscross, and they find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other, despite knowing that their love is deemed impossible and will potentially ruin their lives and the reputation of Babi's family. The early stages of their romance are fraught with danger and tension. Hache's rough exterior and penchant for violence make him unsuitable for polite company, while Babi's refinement and elegance make her vulnerable to slights and criticism from Hache and his mates. Their differences drive them to hurt each other, yet they find themselves repeatedly drawn to each other, as if by an unseen force. Their tumultuous relationship sends shockwaves through both of their families, who have a different vision of what these two young people's future holds. Babi's parents see Hache as a corrupting influence, a symbol of everything they loathe about the world, including moral laxity, violence, and general disrepect for life. On the other hand, Hache's broken home life and meager prospects make it seem like an impossible match to even his friends. At one level, Three Steps Above Heaven is a classic love story, a paean to the transformative power of love and its ability to mend damaged souls. Through their impossible love, Hache appears to clean up his act, slowing down with Babi and as a result tries to maintain hope. Hache finds an identity in love, knowing that he's less harsh and vicious. Babi, meanwhile, starts questioning the expectations that come with being from a wealthy family and realizing the joys that come with taking risks and getting to know the real type of people that exist on the other side of town. However, the movie's core also serves as a social commentary on class differences and how the lower-class kids struggle daily as they attempt to create their own happiness and understanding of the world, rather than conforming to what others see fit for them.