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Movies / On DVD / She's Gotta Have It
She's Gotta Have It

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She's Gotta Have It (1986)

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93 %
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Reviews Counted: 28

Fresh: 26

Rotten:2

Average Rating: 7/10

Runtime: 90 mins

Genre: Comedies

Synopsis: SHE'S GOTTA HAVE IT formally introduced the name Spike Lee to audiences all over the world. The film, an intelligent comedy shot in black-and-white with one sequence of color, places--for among the... SHE'S GOTTA HAVE IT formally introduced the name Spike Lee to audiences all over the world. The film, an intelligent comedy shot in black-and-white with one sequence of color, places--for among the first time--a young, bright African-American woman in the cinematic spotlight. Nola Darling (Tracy Camila Johns) is an attractive young woman with a problem--three problems to be exact. She is simultaneously being wooed by three hopeful, but hopeless, male suitors: Jamie (Tommy Redmond Hicks), a sensitive type who wants to settle down with her; Greer (John Canada Terrell), a narcissistic model who sees her as his trophy; and Mars Blackmon (Lee himself), an aggressive and funny bike messenger who makes her laugh. Nola is attracted to the best in each of them, but is unable to make up her mind as to whom she likes best. She even entertains the notion that something may be wrong with her, thinking perhaps she's oversexed. When a visit to a therapist fails to clear her mind, Nola finally comes to the realization that she must take control of her life. Lee's feature-length debut features a lush jazz score by his father, Bill Lee, and demonstrates a witty, distinctive style. The critical success of the film paved the way for a new generation of independent African-American filmmakers to begin to be recognized by Hollywood on their own terms. [More]

Starring: Spike Lee, Tommy Redmond Hicks, Tracy Camila Johns, Raye Dowell

Starring: Spike Lee, Tommy Redmond Hicks, Tracy Camila Johns, Raye Dowell, John Canada Terrell

Director: Spike Lee

Director: Spike Lee

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Jan 15, 2008

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for She's Gotta Have It

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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Combining humor, drama, and documentary techniques, Lee has created an energetic film that takes an unflinching look at modern sexuality -- specifically black sexuality.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
03/17/08
TV Guide's Movie Guide

All the elements of an interesting yarn are implicit here -- save one: a compelling central figure

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
03/17/08
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

From the start, it was less important whether or not you agreed with Lee than if you appreciated him for stirring things up.

Full Review Source: Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) | comment Comment
01/23/08
Josh Larsen
Sun Publications (Chicago, IL)

She's Gotta Have It's characters talk into the camera, but they do so in service of a Rashomon-tinged postmortem on how an artistic young woman couldn't make polyamory work in her favor.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
01/13/08
Eric Henderson
Slant Magazine

New York Negro neurosis as source material for mirth, amusement and introspection, like a Woody Allen classic, only in blackface.

Full Review Source: AALBC.com | comment Comment
01/12/08
Kam Williams
AALBC.com

An assured debut, which Spike Lee produced, wrote, directed, edited, and acted in, offers him opportunity to show a slice of black urban life in which white characters don't even exist; the title and heroine's name are deliberately B-porn like picture

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
01/13/07
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

This delightful low-budget comedy, with its all black cast and black humour, is 100 per cent Lee.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Time Out

A good first effort that lacks quality acting and overall polish, but compensates with insightful black man's humor.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
11/22/05
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

No review available.

comment Comment
06/29/05
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
03/26/05
Jonathan R. Perry
Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)

No review available.

comment Comment
01/31/05
Greg Maki
Star-Democrat (Easton, MD)

No review available.

comment Comment
07/08/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

No review available.

comment Comment
06/04/04
Sarah Chauncey
Reel.com

No review available.

comment Comment
03/05/04
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

comment Comment
01/29/04
Spence D.
IGN Movies

No review available.

comment Comment
01/21/04
Mike McGranaghan
Aisle Seat

No review available.

comment Comment
01/09/04
Michelle Alexandria
Eclipse Magazine

No review available.

comment Comment
11/15/03
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

No review available.

comment Comment
07/16/03
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central

She's Gotta Have It is funny, honest and brave, and unafraid to admit to complexities and contradictions within the African-American world it portrays.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
05/24/03
Channel 4 Film
 
 
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Latest News for She's Gotta Have It

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1999 was one of the most important years for modern cinema. Ten years on, we're celebrating a remarkable twelve months of movies with new features around some of the year's best... More...

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This week, the prolific Tyler Perry reels off Meet the Browns, his latest examination of African American family life. With that in mind, we thought it would be a good time to... More...

January 12, 2008: This inner city romantic comedy, Spike Lee's directorial debut, chronicles the amorous misadventures of a sex-starved sister who, well, who has just gotta have it. Opens in new window
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