“She’s Gotta Have It” is a not-so-popular film directed by Spike Lee. This movie was one of the first movies that addressed women and their personal sexuality. So, unlike my Lion King post…I am only going to talk about sexuality and gender.
A quick synopsis: Nola is the main character who is sexually independent and is juggling 3 men who want her. She likes all of the men for completely different reasons and struggles to choose and settle down with just one of them. The men are, the well-meaning Jamie, the self-obsessed model Greer and and the immature, motor-mouthed Mars.
What sets this movie apart from other movies about a girl falling in love is her sexual desires. Nola is not your average female character. She does not fall in love with just anyone who gives her attention and she loves sex. Nola loves sex, in general. She makes it known not only to all of her male suitors, but also to her friends. She is a very sexual being and does not understand why she would ever be judged or looked down upon for that.
Can’t a woman just enjoy sex with being called a slut?
Nola represents the struggle that black women were going through at the time. Which was, black men having multiple sex partners and getting away with it while women were expected to only have one at time. I am not saying that I think it is okay to go out and have tons of sex with multiple, random parters…but I do think this movie was bold to, in a sense, call out the black male population. What is even more interesting is, Spike Lee is a black male.
Another interesting part of this movie are in fact, the actual sex scenes. When she is having sex with Jamie, he becomes very aggressive and the sex eventually becomes more of a rape. He is forcing her to do things that she clearly does not want to do.
Now, you would think that after that scene, Nola would walk away from a guy like that. She doesn’t. In fact she stays with him and begins to choose him over the other 2 guys. So, right when you think the theme of this movie is black women taking back their rights to their body and power…it shifts. Why on earth would Spike Lee put such a controversial and even uncomfortable sex scene in the middle of a movie that represents the oppostie?
Greer, is the self-obsessed model who wants to take the Brooklyn out of Nola and bring her to the city. He is constantly trying to change her to become what he likes and what he thinks is best for her. Although Nola likes Greer, she ends up breaking up with him becasue she doesnt love him like he deserves to be loved. And is not willing to change the way she is for a man.
Mars, is the immature boyfriend. He is the guy that Nola seems to have the most fun with, but she is not completely satisfied with somene who just makes her laugh. She wants status and power from the man she chooses. Nola breaks it off with him as well.
Jamie, the one who raped Nola earlier IS THE GUY THAT SHE CHOOSES! She finds him after she has already ended things with the other two and she confesses that she loves him. After a dramatic pause, JAMIE DENIES HER!
What are we supposed to take from this? That no matter how independent, self-sufficent, or in-power a woman is…she will always submit and lose to the man? “She’s Gotta Have It” refers to her desire to want casual sex and not be judged for it. Throughout the whole movie, her character is bold, strong and in complete control of her feelings and body.
Then, that last scene. Jamie wins. The man, wins. I am still trying to figure out what Spike Lee’s motives were in writing and directing this film.
Hollywoods Motives 
Leave a comment