She’s Gotta Have it Review

In this retelling of the 1986 classic, Spike Lee clears all the marks he missed the first time around. The Netflix production of She’s Gotta Have It takes place in the present-day Fort Greene neighborhood of New York City. The ten episode show still focuses on Nola Darling, a strong and unapologetic young artist juggling four lovers. Each one is distinct from the others, and each provides something the other don’t. In the spirit of avoiding as many spoilers as possible specific details of the show will not be discussed.  

There are many elements that make this reboot refreshing but what’s really striking is this version’s ability to tell Darling’s story through the female gaze. In the 1986 version Darling is viewed and understood (or rather misunderstood) in the ways men expected sexually free, young women, to behave. In the remake Darling is allowed to struggle, grow, and defy expectations all the while being unapologetically herself. She is artfully portrayed by Dewanda Wise, you might recognize her from the TV show Underground. Her character is flakey and occasionally unreliable in the way that artists are stereotypically portrayed. Darling is strongest when she paints, firmest when she talks about her lovin’ bed, and perhaps most endearing when she teaches art to inner city kids. 

The reboot touches upon many themes, the timeliest being a nod to the #Metoo movement which replaces the infamous rape scene in the 1986 version. Darling’s confrontation with street assault slingshots her work into a place of deeper introspection. The 2017 version also highlights issues surrounding gentrification and ideas surrounding polyamory. 

In all, Spike Lee’s reboot is both fun and thought provoking. Nola Darling doesn’t beg for you to like her, instead she is aware that her lifestyle could be viewed as unorthodox and she invites you to take it or leave it.