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She's Gotta Have It

Play trailer Poster for She's Gotta Have It R 1986 1h 24m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 87 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Beautiful Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns) can't decide what kind of man she wants to date, so she decides to date three at the same time. The first is Greer Childs (John Canada Terrell), a rich, handsome narcissist. Then there's Jamie Overstreet (Tommy Redmond Hicks), a stable, overprotective alpha male. Finally, there's Mars Blackmon (Spike Lee), a timid geek with a heart of gold. Unfortunately, while each suitor has his virtues, Darling just can't seem to make up her mind.
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She's Gotta Have It

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Critics Consensus

With She's Gotta Have It, Spike Lee delivered his bracing first shot across Hollywood's bow -- and set the template for the groundbreaking act to follow.

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Critics Reviews

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Ron Base Toronto Star Aug 8
Lee proposes that a young career woman like Nola is a free spirit who doesn't need to be tied down to anyone, that she is more than capable of giving love and affection to a number of people without doing herself any grave harm, emotional or physical. Go to Full Review Paul Byrnes Sydney Morning Herald Aug 8
As a sex comedy, it's quirky and novel. Go to Full Review Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel Aug 8
3/5
I feel pretty much the same way about She's Gotta Have It as Nola does about men: I can't quite take it seriously, but I rather like it anyway. Go to Full Review John Danakas Winnipeg Sun Aug 8
She's Gotta Have It is a bright comedy coming to us foursquare from an American subculture that seldom gets to represent itself in the movies. Go to Full Review Fred Lutz Toledo Blade Aug 8
Though all the performances are capable and persuasive, the overall success of the movie seems to belong especially to the offbeat vision of the sly director. Go to Full Review Rick Chatenever Santa Cruz Sentinel Aug 8
You come away from it more impressed with Lee's talents than with any of the subjects he has addressed on screen. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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D P @RT45936356 Mar 15 I have to believe that this movie was intended to hold a mirror up to the behavior of men who play games with women in the dating world. I have to believe this. I know there are women who are true players. I don't think they have enough power to make their men tolerate the knowledge of each other. I can't swallow that, but it was interesting to watch. I think it was the impossibility of the situation that gave it a comical edge. See more Sam S @RT88892101 Sep 20 The first feature-length Spike Lee joint. The dialogue and performances can be a little rough, but Lee’s eclectic and playful style is quite strong for a debut. See more thiago s @Thiagostone 08/23/2025 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Will G @Wgoodeve 01/21/2025 A great Spike Lee film! He directed and acted in it. I liked the scene with dancing. It was nice to see NYC. It was about a woman who has relationships with multiple men. See more Sara J @RT16497968 01/20/2025 Tracy Camilla Johns really shines in this. I liked that we weren't given a "backstory" or "explanation" for her. We were only assured that she was a perfectly healthy woman. Would re-watch, just for her. See more Leaburn O @RT35452347 06/08/2023 Starts off pretty enjoyable but the final third is too turgid and the film ultimately says pretty little. See more Read all reviews
She's Gotta Have It

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Cast & Crew

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Spike Lee

Director

Tracy Camilla Johns

Nola Darling

Tommy Redmond Hicks

Jamie Overstreet

John Canada Terrell

Greer Childs

Spike Lee

Mars Blackmon

Raye Dowell

Opal Gilstrap

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She's Gotta Have It

She's Gotta Have It (1986) She's Gotta Have It (1986) She's Gotta Have It (1986) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Beautiful Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns) can't decide what kind of man she wants to date, so she decides to date three at the same time. The first is Greer Childs (John Canada Terrell), a rich, handsome narcissist. Then there's Jamie Overstreet (Tommy Redmond Hicks), a stable, overprotective alpha male. Finally, there's Mars Blackmon (Spike Lee), a timid geek with a heart of gold. Unfortunately, while each suitor has his virtues, Darling just can't seem to make up her mind.
Director
Spike Lee
Producer
Spike Lee
Screenwriter
Spike Lee
Production Co
40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, New York Foundation for the Arts
Rating
R
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 1, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$5.0M
Runtime
1h 24m
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