Here’s a review of the Spanish film Tengo ganas de ti (2012), directed by Fernando González Molina and based on Federico Moccia’s novel of the same name. Tengo ganas de ti translates to “I want you” — a raw, urgent title that perfectly captures the messy, all-consuming nature of teenage love. As the sequel to the wildly popular Tres metros sobre el cielo (Three Steps Above Heaven), this film had big shoes to fill. Does it succeed? Partially. It’s a whirlwind of emotions, stunning visuals, and problematic tropes that will either make you swoon or roll your eyes.
Recommended for fans of romantic dramas that aren’t afraid to be messy — but don’t expect a healthy relationship manual.
Mario Casas delivers a raw performance as Hache. He’s no longer just the rebellious pretty boy; here, he’s fragile, broken, and searching for meaning. Clara Lago is a revelation as Gin. She’s the film’s beating heart — quirky, vulnerable, and fiercely loyal. Her chemistry with Casas is electric, often outshining the original Hache-Babi dynamic. Tengo ganas de ti
We rejoin Hache (Mario Casas), who has just returned to Barcelona after two years living in London. He’s trying to move on from the tragic loss of his first love, Babi. Scarred and aimless, he falls back into his old world of street racing, late nights, and rebellion. But when he meets Gin (Clara Lago) — a free-spirited, artistic girl with her own secrets — he begins to feel alive again. The problem? Babi (María Valverde) is also back in town, and old feelings refuse to die.
Here’s where the film stumbles. Like its predecessor, Tengo ganas de ti romanticizes some unhealthy behaviors. Hache is possessive, hot-tempered, and treats love as a battlefield. Gin’s “mystery” is drawn out too long, and when the reveal comes, it feels manipulative rather than tragic. Here’s a review of the Spanish film Tengo
Visually, the film is gorgeous. Barcelona looks like a dream — drenched in golden hour light, neon-drenched tunnels, and melancholic rainy streets. The soundtrack, featuring artists like Dulce María and Pablo Alborán, perfectly amplifies the emotional beats.
The love triangle is exhausting. Babi is reduced to a symbol — less a person and more a memory that haunts Hache. The film also drags in the middle, spending too much time on motorcycle races and club fights instead of developing the central relationships. Does it succeed
If you loved Tres metros sobre el cielo , you’ll enjoy this sequel for its emotional payoff and bittersweet ending. It’s not as tight or fresh as the first film, but it knows its audience: teenagers and young adults who want to cry, scream at the screen, and believe in love that’s both beautiful and destructive.