She's Gotta Have It is a 1986 American black-and-white comedy drama film written, produced, edited and directed by Spike Lee.
Nola Darling is a young, attractive graphic artist living in Brooklyn who juggles three suitors: the polite and well-meaning Jamie Overstreet; the self-obsessed model Greer Childs; and the immature, motor-mouthed Mars Blackmon.
Her carefree, sexually liberated lifestyle ultimately comes to an end when her three male suitors meet and compare notes on Nola.
Believing that her sexual activity has prevented her from committing to a single guy, Nola tells Jamie their relationship has to be celibate for the time being.
In a monologue delivered to the camera, Nola reveals that her vow of celibacy and her decision to be with Jamie exclusively was "a moment of weakness".
It was also a groundbreaking film for African-American filmmakers and a welcome change in the representation of blacks in American cinema, depicting men and women of color not as pimps and whores, but as intelligent, upscale urbanites.
Despite facing challenges, Lee managed to redirect an $18,000 grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, initially intended for Messenger, towards She's Gotta Have It.
[9] Lee adopted a cost-effective approach, working with minimal locations, and no elaborate costumes or sets, to complete the film without the prolonged effort of raising substantial funds for a larger production.
To research the lead character, "Nora Darling," Lee collaborated with his Spellman College classmate Tracey Willard, creating a questionnaire circulated among thirty-five women.
The questions delved into various topics, including unfulfilled fantasies, perceptions of men, and preferences in sexual acts.
Actor John Canada Terrell, learning about the film through word of mouth, demanded a role and claimed Lee cast him without an audition.
Shot predominantly in black and white with a single color sequence, Lee worked with a non-union crew, without film permits or insurance.
[7] To finish the film, Lee also held a rough cut screening at NYU, later calling attendees to "become financially involved in helping us complete it."
Lee portrayed the neighborhood as a vibrant cosmopolitan community where successful African Americans thrived, focusing not only on Nola and her struggles, but also on local children, residents, and graffiti.
The consensus states: "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.
These people are not victims of blind forces; they make choices, defend them and grow in understanding, not always happily, as a result.
Their story would be more enjoyable in a more polished film, but it has a power that is not dissipated by this one's weaknesses.”[16] John Simon of the National Review called She's Gotta Have It a "cutesy, trivial sex carousel".
The film’s first North American DVD release was in January 2008 by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment through United Artists and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.